-FIFTIETH EDITIOS.,
THE PLAIN MAN'S
PATHWAY TO HEAVEN;
EVERY MAN MAY CLEAELY SEE WHETHER HE
SHALL BE SAVED OR DAMMD.
SET ^-OliTII I3I^XiOG-T7E -"W I S E ,
>0E THZ BETTER CSDEKSTASDUfG Of TttE SUIfLE.
By ARTHUR DENT, ^
Preacher <tf the Word of 6od at South- Shooberi/ in Ettez, 1590. \ ^
«X>RRECTED AXB MUCH ASCENDED; WITH A TABLE OF ALX. THE p
PRINCIPAL MJkTTEBS; AND THBEE PBAYEES, ^
NECBSSABT TO BE USED IN PRIVATE FAMILIES, HEREUNTO
ADDED BY THE SAME AUTHOR.
^BvcTf monung the Lord bringeth Ms jodgment to light, be fkUeth not; bat
the wicked will not leau-n to be ashamed.'' — Zepbjlxiah iii. 5.
BELFAST:
XOKTH OF IRELAND BOOK & TRACT DEPOSITORY,
7 QUEKX'S SiJUARB.
EDINBURGH: J. MACLA.REN. A. ELLIOT.
GLASGOW: M. OGLE & SON. J. MACKIE. D. BRYCE.
--riRLING: PETER DRLTIMOND. GREENOCK: J. M'KELYIE.
BRIGHTON (EsGLAKB): GEO. STEDMAN.
1859.
CONTENTS OF THIS DIALOGUE.
It sheweth Man's Misery in Nature, with the means of
recovery. v
It sharply inveigheth against the Iniquity of the Time, and
common Corruption of the World.
It sheweth the marks of the Children of God, and of the
Reprobates, with the apparent signs of Salvation and
Damnation.
It declareth how hard a thing it is to enter into life, and
how few shall enter.
It layeth open the ignorance of the World, with the ob-
jections of the same.
LASTLY,
It publisheth and proclaimeth the sweet promises of the
Gospel, with the abundant mercies of God to all that
repent, believe, and truly turn unto liim.
\
TO THE READEE.
Protidential leadings are often pleasing to
observe. The re- appearing of " The Plaik
Mak's Pathway to Heaten" came about ou
this wise.
A man in Christ, reading " Bunyan's Grace
Abounding to the Chief of Sinners," came upon
the following: —
"Presently after this, I changed my condition into a
married state, and my mercy was to light upon a ynfe
whose father was counted godly. This woman and I,
though we came together as poor as might be (not having
s(i much household stniF as a dish or spoon betwixt us
both), yet this she had for her part, ' The . Plain Man's
Pathway to Heaven,' and ' The Practice of Piety,' which
her father had left her when he died. In these two books
I would sometimes read with her; wherein I also found
some things that were somewhat pleasing to me; but all
this while I met with no conviction. She, also, would be
often telling me what a godly man her father was, and how
he would reprove and correct vice, both in his house and
among Ms neighbours; and what a strict and holy life he
lived in his days, both in word and deeds. . . . Wherefore,
these books, with the relation, though they did not reach
my heart, to awaken it about my sad and sinful state, yet
they did beget within me some desires to reform my vicious
life, and fall in very eagerly with the religion of the time-s,
to ^"it, to go to church twice-a-day, and that too with the
foremost; and there would very devoutly both say and sing
as others did, yet retaining my wicked life."
To see this book, " The Plain Man's Pathway
to Heaven," the reader felt a great desire.
IV, TO THE EEADEE.
When tlie desire was forgotten, unexpectedly he
ahghted upon an old copy, in black letter,
without the title-page, and a leaf. The desire
came to remembrance, and the book was eagerly
purchased.
Years rolled away, and the book had been to
the uttermost parts of the earth, and back again.
That God had directed John Bunyan to write
the " Pilgrim's Progress," in allegory, through
the means of this book, appeared not at all
improbable; and as savoury meat was in it
which is agreeable to the taste of many, a re-
publication, for the good of the " household,"
was fondly entertained. It was not so favourable
to do this abroad; but, returning home again,
Mr. Wilson kindly undertook to bring it forth
in a new dress. Efforts not a few were made to
find another copy, but in vain; and the Prospectus
informed subscribers that, " although it is minus
the title-page, and one leaf, yet all the gold is
preserved." A friend in England wrote that he
had an incomplete copy, in plain type, and sent
the same, containing the dedication by the author,
and the leaf awanting. Another servant of
Christ also wrote that he had the book, and
sent a copy of the title-page.
Thus, from three copies, it now appears entire.
The Lord, the God of Israel add his blessing —
"To feed the Church of God, which he hath
purchased with his own blood," Amen,
In an edition of the " Plain Man's Pathwa^y,"
published in 1704, it is stated to be the fortieth
edition, and that, upon a computation, one
hundred thousand copies of this work had been
sold. At a more recent date, we learn that it
was again reprinted as the forty-Srst edition;
ITS AUTHOR. V.
and from what we have heard concerning other
editions, we think it probable that this will be the
fiftieth edition. In the old editions, there is no
division in the work: though embracing a great
variety of topics, the heading of all the chapters
were the same. We trust the liberty taken in
giving the title to each new subject will prove
helpful to the reader, as it wiU enable him more
easily to refer to any particular in the book. The
only other liberty taken has been to modernise
the spelling: in all other respects it is bona Jide
as first issued in 1601.
ITS AUTHOE.
The Author, Aethtjb Db^tt, was minister of
South Shooberry, a village near to Southend, in
Essex, but persecuted by Bishop Aylraer for
nonconformity. About the year 1584 he endured
many troubles from this prelate, for refusing to
wear the surplice, and omitting the sign of the
cross in baptism. With several of his persecuted
brethren, many of whom were suspended and in
prison, he thus petitions the lords of the Queen's
Council: —
" We cheerfdlly and boldly offer this oar humble suit
unto your honours, being our only sanctuary upon earth,
next to her Majesty,* to which we repair in our present
* Queen Qixabeth.
VI. ITS ATJTHOE.
necessity; and, most of all, we are encouraged when we
consider how richly God hath adorned your honours with
knowledge, wisdom, and zeal for the gospel, and with godly
care and tender love to those who profess the same. Most
humbly, therefore, we beseech your honours, with your
accustomed favour in all godly and just causes, to hear and
to judge of our matters. We have received the charge, as
loyal and faithful men, to instruct and teach our people in
the way of life; and every one of us hearing this sounded
from the God of heaven, ' Woe be unto me, if I preach not
the gospel!' we have all endeavoured to discharge our
duties, and to approve ourselves both to God and man.
Notwithstanding this, yfe are in great heaviness, and some
of us already put to silence, and the rest living in fear; not
that we have been, or can be charged, we hope, with false
doctrine, or slanderous life; but because we refuse to sub-
scribe ' that there is nothing contained in the book of
Common Prayer contrary to the word of God.' We do
protest, in the sight of God, who searcheth all hearts, that
we do not refuse from a desire to dissent, or from any sinister
affection, but in the fear of God, and from the necessity of
conscience. Tlie apostle teacheth, that a person who
doubteth is condemned if he eat: if a man, then, be con-
demned for doing a lawful action, because he doubts whether
it be lawful; how much more should we incur the displeasure
of the Lord, and justly deserve his wrath, if we should
subscribe, being fully persuaded that there are some things
in the book contrary to his word! If our reasons might
be so answered by the doctrine of the Bible, and we could
be persuaded that we might subscribe lawfully, and in the
fear of God, we would willingly consent. In these and
other respects, we humbly crave your honoiirable protection,
as those who from the heart do entirely love, honour, and
obey her excellent Majesty, and your honours, in the Lord.
Giving most hearty thanks to God for all the blessings we
have received from him, by your government; constantly
praying, night and day, that he will bless and preserve her
ITS AUTHOB. VU.
Ms^estf and your honours to eternal salvation, your honours'
poor and hiuuble supplicants."*
In a work of ABTHrE Dkbtt's, called " The
Ruin of Rome, or an Exposition of Revelations,"
his friend Ezekiel Cultekwell, gives the
following account of him: —
" To give some public testimony of my love towards him,
and reverence of the rare grace which we all who enjoyed
his sweet society did continually behold in him, whose
learning his labours do shew; and whose diligence, yea,
extreme and unwearied pains in his ministry, publicly,
privately, at home, and abroad, for at least four-and-twenty
years, all our country can testify: all which being adorned
with such special humility, do make his name the greater,
and (5ur loss the more grievous. I may not leave out this —
which I avow to be as certain as it is suignlar — that, besides
all others his great labours, he had a special care of all the
chxtrches night and day, by study and fervent prayer,
procuring the prosperity of Zion and the ruin of Rome.
And, to end with his blessed end, his life was not more
profitable to others, than his death was peaceable to himself:
scarcely a groan was heard, though his fever must have
* Thispetitioii is signed by
G. GYFFARD.
R. ROGERS.
X. COLPOTTS.
L. XEA^TIAJr.
W. DIKE.
T. CHAPLAIN.
A. PENT.
T. REDKICH.
G. WHITIKG.
R. HAWDEN.
J JESSELIii.
T. UPCHE.
R. CARB.
J. WILTON.
S. COTESFORD.
R. ILLISOX.
W. SERDGE.
E. BARKER.
R. BLACKWELL.
T. HOWELL.
M. WIRSDALE.
R. EDML'M)S.
A PIGOT.
C. RUSTICrS.
J. HUCKLE.
T. CAREW.
3. BISHOP.
The first in this honoorable list, Mr. Gyferd, was vicar of Maldon, a
most eminent man, and a very noted preacher of God's word. He
eudnred hearv persecutions and grierous tronbles. The lord high
treasurer, Burleigh, wished to favour him, but the bishops were too
many for the minister of state. He was a voluminous writer. His
works are recommended by Dent, page 256. See " Brook's lives of
of the Puritans," VoL U. 273-8.
VUl. ITS AUTHOE.
been violent, which despatched him in three days. Having
inade a pithy confession of his faith, ' This faith,' said he.,
'have I preached; this faith have I believed in; this faith I
do die in; and this faith woidd I have sealed with my blood,
if God had so thought good; and tell my brethren so.' He
afterwards said, ' I have fought a good fight, I have finished
my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid
np for me the crown of righteousness:' and, with his last
breath, added, ' I have seen an end of all perfection, but
thy law is exceeding broad.'"
TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL
SIR JULIUS CESAR, Kkight,
■1? of the Masters of the 'Requests to the King's Majesty, Judge of the
High Court of Admiralty, and Master of St. Catherine's,
wisketh all good tUngt ta Christ Jesus.
Hating finished, Right Worshipful, and made
ready for the press this little Dialogue, I be-
thought me, since the common manner of all that
write any books in this age, is to dedicate the
same to one or to other of gi'eat place, to whom
. I might dedicate these ray poor labours. At
last 1 did resolve with myself, none to be more
fit than your Worship; both in regard of some
aflfinity in the flesh, as also because of those
manifold good parts wherewith the Almighty
hath endued you. Having therefore none other
thing to present your Worship withal, in token
of a thankful heart for your courtesies shewed
towards me, behold, I do here send unto you this
third fruit of my labours now published. Most
humbly beseeching you to take it in good worth;
not weighing the value of the thing, which is of
no value, but the simple and good meaning of the
giver. This work doth sharply reprove and evict
the world of sin, and therefore is likely to find
many deadly enemies, which with cruel hatred
will most eagerly pursue it unto death. Zoilus
also, and his fellows, I know will bitterly carp at
it. Therefore, it flieth unto your Worship for
X. DEDICATIOir.
protection, and humbly desireth to take sanctuary
under your wings. Wherefore, I humbly intreat
you, to take upon you the patronage and defence
of it; that by your means it may be delivered
both from the calumnious obloquies of evil-dis-
posed persons, and also from the world's malignity;
so as it may take no injury. And concerning this
little volume, the sum of the matter of it, you
shall find in the Epistle to the Reader. As con-
cerning the manner, here is no great matter in
learning, wit, art, eloquence, or ingenious inven-
tion; (for I have herein specially respected the
ignorant and vulgar sort, whose edification I do
chiefly aim at) yet somewhat there is, which may
concern the learned, and give them some content-
ment. Whatsoever it be, I leave it with your
Worship, beseeching you to give it entertainment.
And so T do most humbly take my leave, com-
mending both yourself, your good wife, and your
whole family to the merciful protection of the
ever living Grod.
Your Worship's, to command in the Lord,
ARTHUR DENT.
South Shooherry, Essex,
AprU 10, 1601.
EPISTLE TO THE EEADEK..
Geittlb Reader, seeing my little Sermon of
repentance, some few years since published, hath
been so well accepted of, I have, for thy further
good, published this Dialogue, being the third
fruit of my labour, wishing to it the like success,
that God thereby may have the glory, and thou
who art the reader comfort. I have, in one part
of this Dialogue, produced some of the ancient
writers, and some of the wise heathen also, to
testify upon their oath in their own language, and
to bear witness of the ugliness of some vices,
which we in this age make hght of, which I wish
may not be oflPensive to any. In other parts of
this work, I do in a manner relinquish them.
But in this case I have, in my weak judgment,
thought them to be of some good use, to shew
forth thus much, that if we do not in time repent,
forsake our sins, and seek after God, both the
ancient Christian fathers, whose eyes saw not that
we see, nor their ears heard that we hear, yea, the
very heathen also, shall rise up in judgment
against us. Let none, therefore, stumble at it ; but
if any do, let them remember I am in a Dialogue,
not in a sermon. I write to all of all sorts; I
speak not to some few of one sort. But that
which is done herein, is not much more than that
of the Apostle, "as some of your own poets have
said," Acts xvii. which is warrantable. One thing,
dear Christian, I pray thee let me beg of thee; to
wit, that thou wouldest not read two or three
leaves of this book, and so cast it from thee; but
that thou wouldest read it throughout even to the
end ; for I do assure thee, if there be anything in
it worth the reading, it is bestowed in the latter
Xll. EPISTLE TO THE HEADER.
part thereof, and most of all towards the conclu-
sion. Be not discouraged therefore at the harsh-
ness of the beginning, but look for smoother matter
in the midst, and most smooth in the perclose and
wind-up of all; for this Dialogue liath in it, not
the nature of a tragedy, which is began with joy,
and ended with sorrow ; but of a comedy, which
is began with sorrow, and ended with joy. This
book meddleth not at all with any controversies
in the Church, or anything in the state Ecclesi-
astical, but only entereth into a controversy with
Satan and sin. It is contrived into six principal
heads; first, it sheweth man's misery in nature,
with the means of recovery ; secondly, it sharply
inveigheth against the iniquity of the time, and
common corruptions of the world; thirdly, it
sheweth the marks of the children of God, and of
the reprobates, together with the apparent signs
of salvation and damnation; fourthly, it declareth
how hard a thing it is to enter into life, and how
few shall enter; fifthly, it layeth open the igno-
rance of the world, with the objections of the
same; last of all, it publisheth and proclaimeth
the sweet promises of the gospel, with the abun-
dant mercy of God, to all that repent, believe, and
truly turn unto him. The Author of all blessing
give a blessing unto it. The God of peace, which
brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that
great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of
the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in all
good works, sanctify us throughout, amend all
our imperfections, and keep us blameless until the
day of his most glorious appearing. Amen.
Thine, in the Lord,
A. DENT.
CONTENTS.
STTBJECTS DISCUSSED IN THIS DIALOGUE, OR THE
AUTHORS TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Ox Mans Cobkuptios and Misery, 1 to 9
Man's natural corruption, 4
Man's misery in nature, 5
Man's nature corrupted, but not destroyed, by
Adam's fall, 6
Some sparks of Grod's image still remain after the
fall, 6
Man, in the state of nature, cannot do any thing
that pleaseth God, «>
Man naturally neither seeth nor feeleth his misery, 7
Man, in nature, is under the tyranny of Satan and
curse of the law, 7
Man, grown to years, living and lying in the state
of nature, perisheth forever, 7
Ox Regexeratiox, : 9to 26
Man continueth cursed till he be bom again, 9
None can be saved, but only the regenerate, 10
Regeneration, what 10
The quality of r^eneration, 11
Remnants of sin after the regeneration, 12
Regeneration, a mystery, 13
Means of regeneration, 18
Eight infallible signs of salvation, 24
Eight signs of damnation, 25
Nine manifest tokens of damnation, 25
XIV. CONTENTS.
On Pride, 27 to 4:5
Pride described, 27
Pride of gifts condemned, 29
Pride in apparel condemned, 33
Rules of the word for apparel, 40
On Whoredom and Adultery, 44 to 53
Whoredom, and the dangers thereof, 44
Excuses of whoredom, 46
The fearful effects of whoredom, 47
The punishment of whoredom, 48
The causes of whoredom, 51
Remedies against whoredom, 54
On CtovETOUSNESS, 54 to 78
Covetousness, wherein it doth consist, 54
Four notes to discern the inward covetousness of
the heart by, 5H
The evil effects of covetousness, 57
The vanity of this world, and all worldly things, ... til
Excuses of covetousness, 74
Remedies against Covetousness, God's Special
Care of his Children, and their Great
Privileges, 79 to 96
God's providence for his children in the things of
this life, 79
For the things of this life, God's blessing is all in
all, 84
Outward means alone do not uphold us, 85
God's children sometimes are brought to great
distress, 87
God's children always sure to be delivered out of
trouble, 91
The great privileges of God's children, 93
On Contempt of the Gospel, 97 to 111
Contempt of the gospel a grievous sin, 97
COKTENTS. XV.
Contempt of the gospel punished, 98
Contempt of the gospel the sin of this age, 99
Contempt of the gospel a sure sign of wrath to the
land, 105
On Sweakino, 112 to 120
Swearing, and the punishments thereof, 112
Excuses forswearing, 115
Causes of swearing, 121
Remedies against swearing, 121
On Lying, 121 to 131
Lying, flattering, and dissembling, 121
Punishments for lying, 129
Excuses for lying, 130
Causes of lying, 131
Remedies against lying, 131
On Drcnkesness, 131 to 136
Drunkenness, and all the evil effects thereof, 131
Excuses of drunkenness, 134
Causes and remedies for drunkenness, 136
On Idleness, 136 to 145
Idleness, and the woeful effects thereof, 136
Causes and remedies against idleness, 145
On Oppbkssion, 145 to 159
Oppression a most horrible sin, 145
Many woes denounced against oppressors, 146
Sundry kinds of oppression, 147
Causes and remedies of oppression, 158
The Dbeabful Effects op Sin on Individuals,
AND UPON Nations, 159 to 185
Sin hurteth men in their bodies, goods, and name, 160
Sin bringeth great danger to the whole land, 164
CONTENTS.
Nine predictions of wrath to the land, 169
The prayers and tears of the faithful keep back the
wrath of God from the land, : 171
Prayers of the elect of great force, 174
The wicked fare the better for God's children, 176
The best course to prevent God's judgments, and to
keep back his wrath from our land, 179
Ten special things concerning the continuance of
our peace, 184
Marks and Evidences of Salvation, 185 to 220
Nine signs of a sound soul, 185
Saint Peter's eight marks of salvation, 185
Seven infallible tokens of salvation, 186
Assurance of salvation in this life proved, 187
Objections against the assurance of salvation
answered, v 188
The ground-work of our salvation, 192
Some doubts may stand with the assurance of faith, 193
It is no presumption to be persuaded of our sal-
vation, 195
The wicked cannot be assured of their salvation, . . . 195
Tlie security of salvation which the wicked brag of
is vain, 196
Nino things required of all that shall be saved by
Christ, 199
Many say they hope to be saved by Christ, but few
can give a reason why Christ died for them
particularly, and by name, 201
Few shall be saved: proved by scriptures, reasons,
and examples, 204
But few even in the visible church shall be saved,.-. 207
Objections against the small number of the elect
answered, 209
Objections of atheists and unbelievers answered,... 209
Reading of the scriptures much commended, 21 4
Deferring of repentance dangerous, 219
COKTENTS. XVU.
i>x Peedestixatios asd Elkctios, 221 to 233
God no author of man's condemnation, but himself, ^1
Objections against predestination answered, 222
God's decree no cause of Adam's fall, 224
The decree of reprobation proved, 225
Prescience in God, what, 226
The decree of election proved, 227
The first motive of election is in God himself, 227
Foreseen faith, and foreseen works, no motives of
salvation, ^9
Faith dependeth njwn election, not election npon
faith, 229
A reason yielded, why there is no end of cavilling
and objecting against the truth, 232
HlJTDRASCES IS THE WaT OP Mas'S SALVATION, 233 tO 245
Nine bars out of heaven, and nine gates into heU,.. 233
The Six and Dangke of Ignorance— Importance
OF THE Gospel Ministbt, 246 to 277
The ignorance of the world, 247
The answers of ignorant men to the grounds of ^f)
^^
religion, ^^JL,
The means to get out of ignorance, 256"*
Ignorance a most dangerous thing, 257 fj'^
The charge of ministers exceeding weighty, and c^/"^
most carefully to be looked unto, 261
What is the best course for ministers to take, to ^^
bring the"people out of ignorance, 262
What is the best course for the people to take, tiiat
they may be brought out of the bondage of sin
and captivity of Satan, 265
Preaching a matter of absolute necessity unto
eternal life, 266
Without preaching, the people are in great danger
of losing their souls, 267
Satan's cunning in frustrating the hearing of the
word, and making all preaching utterly unpro-
fitable, 269
2a
XVm. CONTEKTS.
The preacher's counsel to the ignorant man, 271
Six great dangers in sin, 271
Six fearful events of sin, 272
God, in all ages, hath severely punished the trans-
gressors of his law, 273
Every sin, though never so little in our eyes, is
heinous and capital, because it is against a person
of infinite Majesty, 274
/Nine profitable considerations, 274
If men would leave words, and fall to doing, great
good would come of it, 275
Christ's Coming to Judgment, 277 to 293
Nine things to be thought upon, 277
The description of Christ's coming to judgment,.... 277
The terror, the suddenness, the end, the manner,
and the use of Christ's second coming described, 278
The torments of hell, with the extremity, per-
petuity, and remedilessness thereof described, ... 287
Conviction and Conversion— Gospel Consola-
tions AND Conclusion, 293 to 312
The ignorant man, upon the hearing of the day of
judgment, and hell-fire laid open, is pricked in
his conscience, bewaileth his former life, repenteth
H earnestly for his sin and ignorance, and desireth
' spiritual physic and comfort of the preacher, 293
The preacher ministereth unto him much spiritual
comfort, and doth in ample maimer lay open unto
him all the sweet promises of the gospel, and
the infinite mercy of God in Christ, to all true,
penitent, and broken-hearted sinners, 296
The ignorant man, being afflicted in his conscienccj
is exceedingly comforted with the hearing of
God's abundant mercy preached imto him, and
thereupon doth gather great inward peace, con-
verteth unto God with all his heart, and doth
exceedingly bless God for the preacher's counsel, 310
COKTEBTS. xix.
A MoRXiNO Pratkb fob a Godlt FAlIILT,...313to 320
Ax EVKKINQ PBATEB TO BE USED IS PRIVATK
Famiubs, 321 to 827
A Pbateb fob AST Timb, to be Used by aitt
Belieteb Pbtvateit, 2SSito 332
I
THE PLAIN MAN'S
PATHWAY TO HEAVEN.
INTERLOCUTORS.
THEOLOGUS, a Dtstsi.
PHILAGATHUS, _A!C Hosest Mas.
ASUNETUS, AK Igsokast Mak.
ANTILEGON, a Cayilleb.
MAN'S CORRUPTION & MISERY.
Phil. Well met, good master, Theologus.
Theol. What my old friend, Philagathus ! I
am glad to see you in good health.
Phil. Are you walking, sir, here all alone in
this pleasant meadow ?
Theol. Yea; for I take some pleasure at this
time of the year to walk abroad in the fields for
my recreation, both to take the fresh air, and to
hear the sweet singing of birds.
Phil. Indeed, sir, it is very comfortable, espe-
cially now in this pleasant month of May: and
thanks be to God, hitherto we have had a very
forward spring, and as kindly a season as came
this seven years.
Theol. God doth abound towards us in mer-
cies; Oh that we could abound towards him in
thanksgiving.
Phil. I pray you, sir, what a clock hold you it?
B
2 man's COEBUPTIOS"
Theol. I take it to be a little past one ; for I
came but even now from dinner,
Phil. But, behold, yonder eometh two men
towards us : what be they 1 pray you ?
Theol. They be a couple of neighbours of the J
next parish : the one of them is called Asunetus, |
who in very deed is a very ignorant man in (rod's 1
matters: and the other is called Antilegon, a i
notable atheist, and caviller against all goodness.
Phil. If they be such, it were good for us to
take some occasion to speak of matters of reli-
gion; it may be we shall do them some good.
Theol. You have made a good motion : I hke
it well. If therefore you will minister some
matter, and move some questions, I will be ready
to answer in the best sort I can.
Phil. But stay, sir, lo here they come upon us.
Theol. Welcome, neighbours, welcome. How
do you Asunetus, and you Antilegon?
Asun. Well, God be thanked ; and we are glad
to see your mastership in good health.
Theol. What makes both of you here at this
time of the day? There is some occasion I am
sure draweth you this way.
Asun. Indeed, sir, we have some little busi-
ness ; for we came to talk with one of your parish,
about a cow we should buy of him.
Theol. Hath my neighbour a cow to sell? i
Antil. We are told he hath a very good one to
sell; but I am afraid at this time of the year, we
shall find dear ware of her.
Theol. How dear? what do you think a very |
good cow may be worth? ■
Antil. A good cow indeed, at this time of the
year, is worth very near four pounds, which is a
great price.
AXD MISERT. 3
Theol. It is a very great price indeed.
Phil. I pray you, Mr. Theologus, leave off this
talking of kine, and worldly matters ; and let us
enter into some speech of matters of religion,
whereby we may do good, and take good one of
another.
Theol. You say well : but it may be these men's
business requireth haste, so as they cannot stay.
Asun. No, sir, we are in no great haste, we can
stay two or three hours, for the days are long; if
we dispatch our business by night it will serve our
turn well enough.
Theol. Then if it will please you to walk to
yonder oak tree, there is a goodly arbour, and
handsome seats, where we may sill sit in the
shadow, and confer of heavenly matters.
Asun. With a good will, sir.
JPhil. Come, then, let us go.
Asun. This is a goodly aibour indeed, and here
be handsome seats.
Theol. Sit you all down, I pray you. Now
friend Philagathus, if you have any questions to
move of matters of rehgion, we are all ready to
hear you.
Phil. It may be these men are somewhat igno-
rant of the very principles of religion ; and there-
fore I think it not amiss to begin there, and so to
make way for further matters.
Theol. I pray you do so then.
Phil. First, then, I demand of you, in what
state all men are born by nature?
Theol. In the state of condemnation, as ap-
peareth, Eph. ii. 3. We are by nature the
children of wrath as well as others. And again it
is written, "Behold I was born in iniquity, and in
sin hath my mother conceived me," Psal. ii. 5.
4 man's coeeuption
Pliil. Is it every man's case? Are not dukes
and nobles, lords and ladies, and the great poten-
tates of the earth exempted from it ?
Theol. No, surely, it is the common case of all,
both high and low, rich and poor, as it is written,
" What is man that he should be clean, and he
that is born of a woman, that he should be just ? "
Job XV. 14.
I^hil. From whence cometh it, that all men
are born in so woful a case?
Theol. From the fall of Adam, who thereby
had not only wrapt himself, but all his posterity,
in extreme and unspeakable misery ; as the apos-
tle saith, "By one man's disobedience, many
were made sinners: and by the offence of one,
the fault came on all men to condemnation."
Fhil. What reason is there that we all should
thus be punished for another man's offence?
Theol. Because we were then all in him, and
are now all of him : that is we are so descended
out of his loins, that of him we have not only re-
ceived our natural and corrupt bodies, but also by
propagation have inherited his foul corruptions,
as it were by hereditary right.
Phil. But forasmuch as some have dreamed
that Adam by his fall hurt himself only, and not
his posterity, and that we have his corruption
derived unto us by imitation, and not by pro-
pagation ; therefore I pray you shew this more
plainly.
Theol. Even as great personages, by commit-
ting treason, do not only hurt themselves, but
also stain their blood, and disgrace their poste-
rity, for the children of such nobles are disin-
herited, whose blood is attainted, till they be re-
stored again by act of parliament; even so our
JLSD MISEBT. O
blood being attainted by Adam's transgression,
we can inherit nothing of right, till we be restored
by Christ.
PAt7. Doth this hereditary infection and con-
tagion overspread our whole nature?
Theol. Yes, truly, it is universal, extending
itself throughout the whole man, both soul and
body, both reason, understanding, will and affec-
tions; for the scriptures avouch that we are dead
in sins and trespasses, Eph. ii. 1; Col. i. 21, ii. 13.
Phil. How understand you that?
Theol. Not of the deadness of the body, or the
natural faculties of the soul, but of the spiritual
faculties,
Phil. Did Adam then lose his nature and
destroy it by his fall ? or is our nature taken away
by his fall?
Theol. Not so. Our nature was corrupted
thereby, but not destroyed: for still there remain-
eth in our nature, reason, understanding, will,
and affections, and we are not as a block, or a
stock; but by Adam's disobedience we are ble-
mished, maimed, and spoiled of all ability to
understand aright, or to will and do aright. As
it is written, "We are not sufficient of ourselves,
to think any thing as of ourselves: but our suffi-
ciency is of God," 2 Cor. iii. 5. And again,
"It is God which worketh in you both the will
and the deed; even of his good pleasure," Phil,
ii. 13. And, as concerning the other point, St.
James saith, "That all men are made after the
similitude of God," James iii. 9, meaning thereby
that there remain some relics and parts of God's
image, even in the most wicked men; as reason,
understanding, &c. so that our nature was not
wholly destroyed.
G man's coreuption
I'hil. Then you think there be some sparks
and remnants left in us still of that excellent
image of God, which was in our first creation.
Theol. 1 think so indeed: and it may plainly
appear imto us in the wise speeches and, writings
of heathen poets and philosophers; in all which
we may, as by certain ruins, perceive what was
the excellent frame and building of man's crea-
tion.
Phil. Can a man please God in any thing
which he doth, so long as he continueth in the
state of nature?
Theol. No, not in any thing: for till we be in
the state of grace, even our best actions are sinful;
as preaching, prayer, alms deeds, &c. As it is
written, "Who can bring a clean thing out of
that which is unclean?" Job xiv. 4. The apos-,
tie also saith, "They which are in the flesh
cannot please God," Bom. viii. 8; that is, such
as are still in their natural corruption. And our
Lord Jesus himself saith, "Do men gather grapes
of thorns, or figs of thistles?" Matt, vii. 16;
meaning thereby, that mere natural men can
bring forth no fruits acceptable to God.
Phil. This is a very harsh and hard saying;
I pray you, for my further instruction, make it
more plain.
Theol. Men in the state of nature may do those
things which of themselves are good, but they do
utterly fail in the manner of doing them: they
do them not as they should be done; that is, in
faith, love, zeal, conscience of obedience, &c.
neither yet with any cheerfulness, delight or feel-
ing, but even as it were, forcing themselves to do
the outward actions. Thus did Cain sacrifice,
the pharisees pray, Ananias and Sapphira give
A»D MISEBT. 7
alms, and the Jews offer up their oblations and
burnt-offering.
Phil. Have men any true sight, or lively and
sound feeling of this misery and woful estate, so
long as they be merely natural?
Theol. No, surely, but are altogether blinded
and hardened in it, being nothing desirous to
come out of it, but do greatly please themselves
in it, and can hardly be persuaded that they are
in any such woful case; as appeareth plainly in
the example of that ruler, who being commanded
or rather required of our Saviour Christ to keep
the commandments, answered, "All these have
I kept from my youth," Luke xviii. 21. And
again, although the church of Laodicea was
wretched, miserable, poor, bhnd, and naked, yet
she thought herself rich, increased with goods, and
wanting nothing. It foUoweth then, that so long
as men are in the state of nature, they have no
true sight and feehng of their misery.
Phil. Do you not think that all men being
merely natural, are under the ciirse of the law ?
Theol. Yes, certainly; and not only so, but
also under the very tyranny and dominion of
Satan, though they know it not, see it not, feel it
not, or perceive it not; for all that are not in
Christ, are under the curse of the law, and the
power of darkness and the devil, as appeareth,
Eph, ii. 2, where the devil is called the prince
that ruleth in the air, even the spirit that now
worketh in the children of disobedience, 2 Cor.
iv. 4. In another place, he is called the god of
this world, who blindeth the eyes of all unbe-
lievers. And again, it is said, that all men
naturally are in his snare, being taken captive of
him at his will, 2 Tim. ii. 2G.
b MAN 8 COEEUPTION
Phil. Few will be persuaded of that; they will
say they defy the devil, and thank Grod they
were never troubled with him.
Theol. Their hot words do nothing amend the
matter; for the devil is no more driven- away
with words, than with holy water, but he sitteth
in the tongues and mouths ; nay, possesseth the
very heart and entrails of thousands which say
they defy him, and are not troubled with him, as
appeareth manifestly by their particular actions,
and the whole course of their life.
Phil. Methinks, if the devil do so inwardly
possess the hearts and consciences of men, they
should have some sight and feeling of it.
Theol. The working of the devil in men's souls
(being an invisible spirit) is with such incon-
ceivable sleight and crafty conveyance, that men , J
in the estate of nature cannot possibl}' feel it, or 1
perceive it: for how can a blind man see, or a
dead man feel?
PMl. Shew this more plainly.
Theol. Even as a crafty juggler doth deceive,
and blind men's outward senses by the delusions
of Satan, that they think they see that which they
see not, and feel that which they feel not: even
so the devil doth so delude and bewitch our in-
ward senses, and the natural faculties of our souls,
that we having a mist cast before our eyes, think
we are that which we are not, see that which we
see not, and feel that which we feel not. For the
deep cunning of Satan lieth in this, that he can
give us our death's wound, and we shall never
know who hurt us.
Phil. Few will believe this to be true.
Theol, True indeed: for few will believe the
scriptures : few will believe this, because few feel
AKD MISEBT. 9
it: where it is not felt, it can hardly he helieved:
onlr the elect do feel it, and therefore only the
elect do believe it. As for all others, they are
the very apprentices and bond-slaves of the devil,
which is a thousand times worse than to be a
galley-slave.
REGENERATION.
Phil. How long do men continue in this wo-
ful state of nature, being under the curse of the
law, and the very slavery of Satan and sin?
Theol. Till they be regenerate and bom again,
and so brought into the state of g^ee: as our
Lord Jesus saith, " Except a man be bom again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God," John iii. 3.
Phil. Do not many die and depart this life,
before they be bom again, and consequently be-
fore they be brought into the state of grace?
Theol. Yes, no doubt, thousands: for many
live forty or threescore years in this world, and in
the end die, and go out of this life before they
know wherefore they come into it: as it is "writ-
ten, " My people perish for want of knowledge."
Phil. What may we think of such ?
Theol. I quake to speak what I think; for
surely I do not see how such can be saved. I
speak not now of infants and children, whereof
some no doubt are saved by virtue of the promise
and covenant, through the election of grace.
Phil. It seemeth then that you think none can
be saved, but those only which are bom again.
Theol. I think so indeed.
10 EEGEKEEATION.
Phil. I pray you tell me what the same rege-
neration and new birth is, whereof you speak.
Theol. It is a renewing and repairing of the
corrupted and decayed estate of our souls. As it
is written, " Be ye changed by the renewing of
your mind," Eom. xii. 2. And again, " Be re-
newed in the spirit of your mind," Eph. iv. 2, 3.
Phil. Explain this more fully.
Theol. Even as the wild olive retaineth his old
nature, till it be grafted into the sweet olive, but
afterward is partaker of a new nature ; so we, till
we be grafted into Christ, retain our old nature,
but afterward are turned into a new nature, as it
is written, " If any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature," 2 Cor. v. 17.
Phil. I understand not what you say.
Theol. You must know this, that as there is a
natiu-al birth of the whole man, so there is also a
spiritual birth of the whole man.
Phil. How is that?
Theol. When as the natural faculties of the
soul, as reason, understanding, will and affections,
and the members of the body also, are so sancti-
fied, purged, and rectified by grace, that we un-
derstand, will, and desire that which is good.
Phil. Cannot a man will and desire that which
is good before he be born again ?
Theol. No more than a dead man can desire
the good things of this life. For man's will is
not free to consent unto good till it be enlarged
by grace; and an unregenerate man doth sin ne-
necessarily, though not by constraint: for man's
will is free from constraint (for it sinneth of itself)
but not from thraldom unto sin.
Phil. You speak as if a man could do no other
thing but sin, till the new work be wrought in him.
EEGE»EEATI05^. 11
Theol. That is my opinion indeed: for a man
and his flesh are all one, till he be regenerate;
they agree together like man and wife, they join
together in all evil, they live and die together:
for when the flesh perisheth, the man perisheth.
Fhil. Is not this regeneration a changing or
rather a destroying of human nature?
Theol. Nothing less: it is neither an abolish-
ing, nor changing of the substance of body or
soul, or any of the faculties thereof; but only a
rectifying and repairing of them by removing*
the corruption.
PMl. Is then our natural corruption so purged
and quite removed by the power of grace, as that
it remaineth not at all in us, but that we are
?• wholly freed of it?
Theol. Not so. For the relics and remnants
of our old nature, which the scripture calleth the
old man, do hang about us, and dwell in us, even
until our dying day: as it is plainly proved in
the last ten verses of the seventh to the Eo-
mans.f
Phil. Then you affirm that this new man, or
new work of grace and regeneration, is imperfect
in this life.
Theol. Tea. For the new creature, or new
work of grace, can never be fully fashioned in
this life, but is always in fashioning. And as
our faith and knowledge in this life are imperfect,
so is our regeneration and sanctification.
Phil. You said before that the regeneration or
new birth is of the whole man, which speech
• The word subdniog is more scriptmaL See Mic. vii. 19. BonuV't
vi. 14.
t The scriptiires not only speak of a remnant of evil, but of the body
of sin and death; this is called, eren in believers, the old man, there
being no member lackii^.
12 EEGENEBATION,
seemeth to imply, that the new work of grace ia
entire and perfect.
Theol. You mistake the matter. For although
the new birth is universal, and of the whole man,
yet it is not entire, perfect, pure, and withoiit
mixture of corruption. For it is written, "The
flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh," Gal. v. 17. The apostle also
prayeth, that the Thessalonians may be sanctified
throughout, in spirit, soul, and body.
Phil. This seemeth very obscure — I pray you
make it more plain.
Theol. You must note this, that the new works
and the old, flesh and spirit, grace and corruption,
are so intermingledly joined together in all the
faculties of the soul and body, as that the one doth
ever fight against the other.
Phil. But tell me, I pray you, how you under-
stand this intermingling of grace and corruption
in the soul ? Do you mean that grace is placed
in one part of the soul, and corruption in another,
so as they be sundred in place?
Theol. No, that is not my meaning, but this,
that they be joined and mingled together (as I
said) in and throughout the whole man. For the
mind, or understanding part, is not one part flesh
and another part spirit; but the whole mind is
flesh, and the whole mind is spirit, partly one,
and partly another. The same is to be said of
the will and affections.
Phil. I pray you express it more plainly.
Theol. Even as the air in the dawning of the
day is not wholly light, or wholly dark, as at
midnight, or at noon day, neither is it in one
part light, in another part dark; but the whole
air is partly light, and partly dark throughout:
BEGEKEHATION. 13
and as in a vessel of luke-warm water, the water
itself is not only hot, nor only cold, but heat
and cold are mixed together in every part of the
water: so is the flesh and the spirit niingled
together in the soul of man. And this is the
cause why these two contrary qualities fight to-
gether.
Fhil. Out of doubt this doctrine of regenera-
tion is a very great mystery.
Theol. Yes, certainly: it is a secret of secrets,
which the wise of this world cannot comprehend.
FTiil. Some think that courtesy, kindness, good
nurtm'e, good nature, and good education, are
regeneration, and that courteous and good-natured
men must be saved.
Theol. They are greatly deceived; for these
things do not necessarily accompany salvation,
but are to be found in such as are altogether
profane and irreligious: yet we are to love such
good outward qualities, and the men in whom we
find them.
Phil. What say you then to learning, wit and
policy; are not these things of the essence of
religion, and prove a regeneration?
Theol. No, no; for they be external gifts,
which may be in the most wicked men, as in
papists, heathen poets, and philosophers: yet we
are greatly to reverence learned and wise men,
although the new and inward work be not as yet
wrought; for that is only of God, that is from
above.
Phil. The common people do attribute much
to learning and policy: for they will say, such a
man is learned and wise, and knoweth the scrip-
ture as weU as any of them all, and yet he doth
not thus and thus.
14 EE6E5EEATI0N.
Theol. It is one thing to know the history and
letter of the scriptures, and another thing to be-
lieve and feel the power thereof in the hearty
which is only from the sanctifying Spirit, which
none of the wise of the world can have.
Phil. It is a common opinion, that if a man
hold the truth in judgment, be no papist, or
heretic, but leadeth an honest civil life, then he
must of necessity be saved.
Theol. That followeth not: for many come so
for, which yet notwithstanding have not the in-
ward touch.
Phil. That seemeth strange. For many will
say, as long as they be neither whore nor thief,
nor spotted with such like gross sins, they trust
in Grod they shall be saved.
Theol. They err not knowing the scriptures.
For many thousands are in great danger of losing
their souls for ever, which are free from such
notorious and horrible vices: nay, many which
in the world are counted good honest men, good
true dealers, good neighbours, and good towns-
men.
Asun. I pray you, sir, give me leave a little.
I have heard all your speech hitherto, and I like
reasonably well of it; but now I can forbear no
longer, my conscience urgeth me to speak. For
methinks you go too far, you go beyond your
learning in this, that you condemn good neigh-
bours, and good townsmen. You say, many
such men are in danger of losing their souls;
but I will never believe it while I live. For if
snch men be not saved, I cannot tell who shall.
Theol. But you must learn to know out of the
scriptures that all outward honesty and right-
eousness, without the true knowledge and inward
ItEGEKEEATIOS. iS
feeling of God, availeth not to eternal life. As
our Saviour Christ saith, "except your righteous-
ness exceed the righteousness of the scribes and
pharisees, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of
heaven," Matt. v. 20. It is also written that
when Paiil preached at Berea, many honest men
and honest women did believe. Acts xvii. 12;
that is, such as were outwardly honest, or honest
to the worid only; for they could not be truly
and inwardly honest before they did believe.
Therefore you see that this outward honesty and
civility, without the inward regeneration of the
Spirit, availeth not to eternal life; and then con-
sequently, all your honest worldly men are in
great danger of losing their souls for ever.
Asun. What sound reason can you yield why
such honest men should be condemned ?
Theol. Because many such are utterly void of
all true knowledge of God, and of his word.
Nay, which is more, many of them despise the
word of God, and hate all the zealous professors
of it. They esteem preachers but as prattlers,
and sermons as good tales ; they esteem a preacher
no more than a shoe-maker: they regard the
scriptures no more than their old shoes. What
hope is there then, I pray you, that such men
should be saved: doth not the Holy Ghost say,
"how shall we escape if we neglect so great sjd-
vation?" Heb. ii. 3.
Asun. You go too far — you judge too hardly
of them.
Theol. Not a whit. For all experience show-
eth, that they mind, dream, and dote of nothing
else day and night, but this world, this world's
lands and leases, grounds and livings, kine and
sheep, and how to wax rich. All their thoughts,
16 EEGEJfEEATION.
words, and works, are of these and such like
things; and their actions do most manifestly de-
clare that they are of the earth, and speak of the
earth ; and that there is nothing in them but
earth, earth. As for sermons, they care not how
few they hear. And for the scriptures they re-
gard them not, they read them not, they esteem
them not worth the while: there is nothing more
irksome unto them ; they had rather pick straws,
or do any thing, than hear, read, or confer of the
scriptures. And as the prophet saith, "The
word of the Lord is as a reproach unto them, that
have no delight in it," Jer. vi. 10.
Phil. 1 marvel much that such men should
live so honestly to the world-ward.
Theol. No marvel at all; for many bad men
whose hearts are worm-eaten within, yet for some
outward and carnal respects, do abstain from the
gross act of sin; as some for credit, some for
shame, some for fear of law, some for fear of
punishment; but none for love of God, for zeal,
or conscience of obedience. For it is a sure thing,
that the wicked may have that spirit which doth
repress ; but not that which doth renew.
Phil. It seemeth then by your speeches that
some which are not regenerate do in some things
excel the children of God.
Theol. Most certain it is that some of them in
outward gifts, and the outward carriage of them-
selves, do go beyond some of the elect.
Phil. Shew me I pray you in what gifts.
Theol. In learning, discretion, justice, temper-
ance, prudence, patience, liberality, affability,
kindness, courtesy, good nature, and such like.
Phil. Methinketh it should not be possible.
Theol. Yes, truly. For some of God's dear
EEQENEEATION. 17
children, in whom no doubt the inward work is
truly and soundly wrought, yet are so troubled
and encumbered with a crabbed and crooked na-
ture, and so clogged with some master sin ; as
some with anger, some with pride, some with
covetousness, some with lusts, some one way,
some another ; all which breaking out in them,
do so blemish them and their profession that they
cannot so shine forth unto men as otherwise no
doubt they would ; and this is their wound, their
grief, and their heart smart, and that which
costeth them many a tear, and many a prayer :
and yet can they not get the full victory over
them, but still they are left in them, as the prick
in the flesh, to humble them.
Phil. Yet love should cover a multitude of
such infirmities in God's children.
Theol. It should do so indeed: but there is
great want of love, even in the best; and the
worst sort espying these infirmities in the godly,
run upon them with open mouth and take upon
them to condemn them utterly, and to judge their
hearts, saying they be hypocrites, dissemblers,
and there is none worse than they.
Phil. But do you not think that there be some
counterfeits, even amongst the greatest profes-
sors?
Theol. Yes, no doubt there be, and always
have been some very hypocrites in the church:
but we must take heed of judging and condenm-
ing all for some. For it were very much to con-
demn Christ and his eleven disciples, because of
one Judas; or the whole primitive church, for
Ananias and Sapphira.
Phil. But I hope you are of this mind, that
some regenerate men, even in outward gifts, and
o
18 EEGESrEEATTON.
their outward carriage, are comparable with any
others.
Theol. Questionless, very many. For they
being guided by God's Spirit, and upheld by his
grace, do walk very uprightly and unblameably
towards men.
Phil. Yet there resteth one scruple: for it .
seemeth very strange unto me, that men of so
discreet carriage as you speak of, and of so many
good parts, should not be saved. It is a great
pity such men should be damned.
Theol. It seemeth so unto us indeed; but God
is only wise; and you must note that as there be
some infirmities in God's children, which he cor-
recteth with temporal chastisements, and yet re-
wardeth their faith, love, and inward service and
obedience, with eternal life; so there be some
good things in the wicked, and them that are
without Christ, which God rewardeth with tem-
poral blessings, and yet punisheth them eternally
for their unbelief and hardness of heart.
Phil. Now you have reasonably well satisfied
me touching the doctrine of regeneration, and the
manifold errors and deceits that are in it, and of
it — I pray you let us now proceed: and first of
all tell me, by what means the new birth is
wrought ?
Theol. By the preaching of the word, as the
outward means; and the secret work of the Spirit,
as the inward means, 1 Peter, i. 23; John xv. 3;
Acts X. 44.
Phil. Many hear the word preached and are
nothing the better, but rather the worse; what I
pray you is the cause of that?
Theol. Men's own incredulity, and hardness of
heart; because God in his wrath leaveth them to
BEOENEBATIOK. 19
themselves, and depriveth them of his Spirit,
without the which, all preaching is in vain : for
except the Spirit do follow the word into our
hearts, we can find no joy, taste, nor comfort
therein, Acts xvi. 14.
Phil. Cannot a man attain unto regeneration
and the new birth without the word and the
Spirit?
Theol. No, verily: for they are the instruments
and means* whereby Grod doth work it.
Asun. Why may not a man have as good a
faith to God-ward, that heareth no sermons, as
he that heareth all the sermons in the world ?
Theol. Why may not he, which eateth no
meat, be as fat and as well liking, as he that
eateth all the meat in the world? For is not the
preaching of the word, the food of our soul?
Asun. I like not so much hearing of sermons,
and reading of the scriptures, except men could
keep them better.
Theol. Faithful and honest hearers do there-
fore hear, that they may be more able to observe
and do. For a man cannot do the will of God
before he know it ; and he cannot know it without
hearing and reading.
Antil. I marvel what good men do get by
gadding to sermons, and poring so much in the
scriptures; or what are they better than others?
there are none more full of envy and malice than
they. They will do their neighbour a shrewd
turn as soon as any body; and therefore, in my
opinion, they be but a company of hypocrites and
precise fools.
Theol. You judge uncharitably. Full little do
* Is it not more correct to say the Spirit is the effideot, the word
the instrumental canse?
20 EEGENERATIOIT.
you know what they feel, or what good God's
people get by hearing of his word. For the work
of the Spirit in the heart of the elect is very secret
and altogether hid from the world, as it is written,
"The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou
hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell
whither it goeth, or whence it cometh ; so is every
man that is born of the Spirit," John iii. 8. And
again, " The things of God knoweth no man, but
the Spirit of God."
Asun. Tush, tush; what needs all this ado?
If a man say his Lord's prayer, his ten command-
ments, and his belief, and keep them, and say no-
body no harm, nor do nobody no harm, and do as
he would be done to, have a good faith to God-
ward, and be a man of God's belief, no doubt he
shall be saved, without all this running to ser-
mons, and prattling of the scriptures.
Theol. Now you pour it out indeed. You
think you have spoken wisely. But, alas, you
have bewrayed your great ignorance. For you
imagine a man may be saved without the word,
which is a gross error.
Asim. It is no matter, say you what you will,
and all the preachers in the world besides : as long
as I serve God, and and say my prayers duly and
truly, morning and evening, and have a good
faith in God, and put my whole trust in him, and
do my true intent, and have a good mind to God-
ward, and a good meaning, although I am not
learned, yet I hope it will serve the turn for
my soul's health. For that God which made
me must save me. It is not you that can
save me, for all your learning, and all your
scriptures.
Theol. You may very fitly be compared to a
BEaEirEBA.TION. 21
sick man, who having his brain distempered with
heat, raveth, and speaketh idly, he cannot tell
what. For the Holy Ghost saith, "He that turn-
eth away his ear from hearing the law, even
his prayer shall be abominable," Prov. xxviii. 9.
And again, "He that despiseth the word, he
shall be destroyed," Prov. xiii. 13. So long
therefore as you despise God's word, and torn
away yom* ear from hearing his gospel preached,
all your prayers, your fantastical serving God,
your good meanings, and your good intents, are
to no purpose; but most loathsome and odious
in the sight of God: as it is written, " My soul
hateth your new moons, and your appoints
feasts, they are a burthen unto me, I am weary
to bear them. When you stretch out vour hands,
I will hide mine eyes from you: and though you
make many prayers, I will not hear; for your
hands are full of blood," Isa. i. 14, 15. And
again the Lord saith by the same prophet, "He
that killeth an ox, is as if he slew a man: he that
sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck:
he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered
swine's blood: and he that bumeth incense, as if
he blessed an idol," Isa. Ixvi. 3; where you see,
the Lord teUeth you his mind touching these
matters, to wit, that all your prayers, services,
good meanings, &c. are abominable unto him, so
long as you walk in ignorance, profaneness, diso-
bedience, and contempt of the gospel. For he
saith in the words immediately going before, " To
him will I look, even to him that is poor and of
a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my words,"
v. 2.
Asun. I grant indeed for them that are idle
and have little to do, it is not amiss now and
22 EEGENEEATION.
then to hear a sermon, and read the scriptures :
but we have no leisure, we must follow our busi-
ness, we cannot live b}' the scriptures; they are
not for plain folks, they are too high for us, we
will not meddle with them. They belong to
preachers and ministers.
Theol. Christ saith, "My sheep hear my voice,
and I give unto them them eternal life," John x.
27, 28. If therefore you refuse to hear the voice
of Christ, you are none of his sheep, neither can
you have eternal life. And in another place our
Lord Jesus saith, "He that is of God, heareth
God's word. Ye therefore hear it not, because
ye are not of God," John viii. 47. Paul writing
to all sorts of men, both rich and poor, high and
low, men and women, young and old, exhorteth
that "the word of Christ may dwell plenteously
in them all, in all wisdom," Col. iii. 16. You
see therefore that the apostle would have all sorts
of people, that have souls to save, to be well ac-
quainted with the scriptures. Therefore you may
as well say you will not meddle with God, with
Christ, nor with everlasting life, as to say you
will not meddle with the scriptures.
Asun. Well, I cannot read, and therefore I can-
not tell, what Christ or what Paul may say; but
this I am sure of, that God is a good man, (wor-
shipped might he be) he is merciful, and that we
must be saved by our good prayers, and good
serving of God.
Theol. You speak foolishly and ignorantly in
all that you say, having no ground for any thing
you speak but your own fancy, and your own
conceit: and yet you will believe your own fancy
against all preachers, and against all that can be
spoken out of the word. But I pray you give m©
BEOEKERATIOK. 23
leave a little. If a man dream that he shall be a
king, and in the morning when he is awake per-
suadeth himself it shall be so, may he not be
justly laughed at, as having no ground for it?
even so may all they which believe their own
dreams and phantasies touching salvation; but it
is true which Solomon saith, "A fool believeth
every thing," Prov. xiv. 15, that copper is gold,
and a counter* an angel. f And assuredly, great
reason there is that he which will not believe
God should be given over to beheve the devil,
his dream, and his fancy.
Asun. I pray you instruct me better then.
Theol. You had need indeed to be better in-
structed: for the devil hath slily deluded your
soul, and cast a mist before your eyes, making
you believe the crow is white, and that your
estate is good before God, whereas indeed it is
most woful and miserable.
Asun. Nay, I defy the devil, with all my
heart. But I pray you tell me how it cometh to
pass that I am thus deceived.
Theol. This it is that deceiveth you, and many
others, that you measure yourselves by yourselves,
and by others, which is a false mete-wand. For
you seem to lie straight so long as you are mea-
sured by yourselves, and by others; but lay the
rule of God's word unto you, and then you lie
altogether crooked.
Asun. What other thing is there that deceiveth
me?
Theol. Another thing that deceiveth you, is
your own heart; for you know not your own
heart, but are altogether deceived therein, " For
* Counter, a small piece of false money.
t Angel, a gold coin worth ten shillings.
24 EEGENEEA-TIOB".
the heart is deceitful above all things," Jer. xvii.
9. He is a wise man, and greatly enlightened,
that knoweth his own heart. But you are blind,
and know not what is within you; but dimly
imagine you shall be saved, and hope you know
not what of eternal life. And because blindness
maketh you bold, you will seem to be resolute in
words, and say it is a pity he should live, which
doth any whit doubt of his salvation. And as-
suredly you speak as you think, and as you
know. For ought that you know to the con-
trary it seemeth so; though indeed, and in truth
it is not so; for you are deluded with a false
light. And sometimes, no doubt, you have
pricks, gripes, terrors, and inward accusations
of conscience, for all your bold and resolute
speeches.
Asun. Truly I never heard so much before.
Theol. That is, because you shut your eyes,
and stop your ears against God, and all good-
ness. You are " like the deaf adder, which hear-
eth not the voice of the charmer, though he be
most expert in charming," Psal. Iviii. 45.
Asun. Well then, if it be so, I would be glad
now to learn, if you would teach me. And as
you have shewed me the means whereby the
new birth is wrought, so now shew me the cer-
tain signs and tokens thereof, whereby all men
may certainly know that they are sanctified, re-
generate, and shall be saved ?
Theol. There be eight infallible notes and
tokens of a regenerate mind, which may well be
termed the eight figures of salvation; and they
are these: — •
A love to the children of Grod — a delight in
his word — often and fervent prayer — zeal of
BEGENEBATIOS. 25
God's glory — denial of ourselves — patient
bearing of the cross, with profit and comfort —
faithfulness in our calling — honest, just, and
conscionable dealings in our actions amongst
men. 1 John iii. 14, ii. 5; Psalm cxix; cxlv.
18; Rom. xii. 11; Eev. iii. 19; Matt. xvi. 24;
Job i. 21; Eph. iv. 21. 32; Phil. iv. 8.
Phil. Now that you have shewed us the evi-
dent signs of man's salvation: shew us also the
signs of condemnation.
Theol. The contraries unto these are manifest
signs of damnation: no love to the children
of God — no dehght in his word — seldom and
cold prayers — coldness in God's matters —
trusting to our selves — impatience under the
cross — unfaithfulness in our calling — dishonest
and unconscionable dealing.
JPhil. No doubt, if a man be infected with
these, they may be shrewd signs that a man is ex-
tremely soul-sick and in a very dangerous case.
But are there not yet more evident and apparent
signs of condemnation than these?
Theol. Yes, verily. There be nine very clear
and manifest signs of a man's condemnation.
Phil. I pray you let me hear what they be.
Theol. Pride, w^horedom, covetousness, con-
tempt of the gospel, swearing, lying, drunken-
ness, idleness, oppression.
Phil. These be gross things indeed.
Theol. They may not be unfitly termed the
nine Beelzebubs of the world: and he that hath
these signs upon him is ill a most woful case.
Phil. What if a man be infected with some
two or three of these?
Theol. Whoever is infected with three of
them, is in great danger of losing his soul. For
S» EEGENEEATION.
all these are deadly venom, and rank poison to
the soul: and either the three first, or the three
last, or the middle three, are enough to poison
the soul, and sting it to death. Nay, to say
the truth, a man had as good gripe a toad,
and handle a snake, as meddle with any one
of these.
I^hil. Ts every one of them so dangerous?
Theol. Questionless. For they be the very
plague sores of the soul. If any man have a
plague sore upon his body, we used to say God'a
tokens are upon him. Lord, have mercy upon
him. So we may truly say, if any man be
thoroughly and totally infected at the heart with
any one of these, Grod's tokens are upon his
soul. Lord, have mercy on him.
Phil. Many do not think these to be so
dangerous matters as you make them, and many
there be which make light of them.
Theol. True indeed: for the most part of men
are altogether shut up in blindness, and hardness
of heart, having neither sight nor feeling of their
sins; and therefore make light of them, thinking
there is no such danger.
I*hil. It is most certain that men are given
to lessen and extenuate their sins; or else, to
hide them, and daub them over with many cun-
ning shifts and vain excuses. For men are ever
ready to take covert, and will writhe and wreath
(like snakes) to hide their sins: yea, if it were
possible, to make sin no sin, to make virtue vice,
and vice virtue. Therefore I pi-ay you lay open
unto me, out of the scriptures, the grievousness
and ugliness of their sins?
Theol. The stinking filthiness of these sins is
so great and horrible that no tongue or pen of
SEQEKEBATIOX. 27
man is suflScient fully to manifest and lay open
the same, according to the proper nature and
being thereof: yet notwithstanding I will do my
endeavour to lay them open in some measure,
that all men may the more loathe them.
PRIDE.
Phil. I pray you then, first of all begin with
pride.
Theol. You say well: for that indeed may well
stand in the fore-front, since it is a master-devil,
and the master-pock of the soul.
Phil. Shew me out of the scriptures that pride
is so grievous and loathsome.
Theol. Solomon saith, "Every one that i«
proud in heart, is an abomination to the Lord,"
Prov. xvi. 5; which plainly sheweth that God
doth detest and abhor proud men. And is it not
a fearful thing, think you, to be abhorred of God?
And in the same chapter, verse 18, he saith,
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an high
mind before the fall;" wherein he sheweth that
pride is the forerunner of some deadly downfall,
either by disgracing or displacing; for it is an
old and true proverb, "pride will have a fall."
And oftentimes when men are most lifted up, then
are they nearest unto it: as the examples of
Haraan, Nebuchadnezzar, and Herod, do plainly
declare. When the milt swelleth, the rest of the
body pineth away: even so, when the heart is
puft up with pride, the whole man is in danger
of destruction. Moreover, the Holy Ghost saith.
28 PEIDE OF GIFTS.
" The Lord will destroy the house of the proud,"
Prov. XV. 25, Job saith of such kind of men,
"The spark of his fire shall not shine; fear shall
dwell in his house, and brimstone shall be scat-
tered upon his habitation," xviii. 5. 15. And
in another place, he saith, " The fire which is not
blown shall devour him," xx. 26. Methinketh,
therefore, if there were any spark of grace in us,
these terrible speeches of the Holy Grhost might
serve to humble us, and pull down our pride;
especially as the scriptures do affirm that God
resisteth the proud, and setteth himself, ex pro-
fesso* against them; and therefore woe unto
them : for if God take against a man, who can
reclaim him? f6r he doth whatsoever he will,"
Job xxiii. 13.
Phil. But tell me, I pray you, when you speak
against pride, what pride it is that you mean ?
Theol. I mean all pride, both that which is in-
ward in the heart, and that also which breaketh
out in men's foreheads : I mean that which appa-
rently sheweth itself in men's words and works.
Phil. Do you mean also pride of men's
gifts?
Theol. Yes, surely ; for there is no pride worse
or more dangerous than that. Beware, saith one,
of spiritual pride, as to be proud of our learning,
wit, knowledge, reading, writings, sermons,
prayers, godliness, policy, valour, strength, riches,
honour, birth, beauty, authority; for God hath
not given such gifts unto men, to the end they
should make sale-ware of them, and set them a
sunshining, to behold, seeking only themselves
with their gifts, the vain praise of the multitude,
* Professedly, avowedly.
PBiDE or GirTs. 29
and applause of the people, so robbing God of
his honour, and proudly arrogating to themselves
that which is due unto God, which is the praise
of his gifts ; but he hath given his gifts to ano-
ther end, namely, that we should use them to
his glory, and the good of others (either in church
or common-wealth) especially of those which do
most concern us.
Phil. Yet we see commonly men of greatest
gifts are most proud.
Theol. True indeed: for the finest cloth is
soonest stained. And as worms engender sooner
in soft and tender wood than in that which is
more hard and knotty, and as moths do breed
sooner in fine wool than in course flocks, even so
pride and vain-glory do sooner assault an excel-
lent and rare man in all kind of knowledge and
virtue, than another of meaner gifts. And there-
fore pride is said to spring out of the ashes of aU
virtues : for men will be proud, because they are
wise, learned, godly, patient, humble, <fec. Pride,
therefore, may very fitly be compared to the crab-
stock speins, which grow out of the root of the
very best apple-tree. Therefore to say the truth,
this is one of the last engines and weapons which
the devil useth for the overthrowing of God's
own children; even to blow them up with pride
as it were with gunpowder. For as we see it
come to pass in the siege of strong-holds, when
no battery or force of shot will prevail, the last
remedy and policy is to undermine it, and blow
it up with trains of gunpowder; so when Satan
can no way prevail against some excellent ser-
vants of God, his last device is, to blow them up
with pride, as it were with gunpowder.
Phil. I see it is a special grace of God for men
30 PEIDE OF GIFTS.
of great gifts to be humble-minded; and he is an
old man of a thousand, which excelling in gifts
doth excel in humility; and the more gifts he
hath, the more humbly he walketh; not con-
temning others, but esteeming them better than
himself: for commonly, we are the worse of God's
gifts, because we have not the right use of them;
and again, because they engender so much proud
flesh in us, that we had need daily to be corized.*
Therefore God sheweth great favour and mercy
to that man whom he humbleth and taketh down
by any afflictions or infirmities whatsoever; for
otherwise, it is sure proud flesh would altogether
overgrow us.
Theol. You have spoken the truth; for the
apostle himself eonfesseth that he was tempted
and troubled this way, (2 Cor. xii.) I had like to
have been puffed up out of measure with the
abundance of his revelations; but that God, in
great mercy sent him a cooler, and a rebater; to
wit, a prick in the flesh, (which he calleth the
messenger of Satan) whereby the Lord cured him
of his pride. And even so doth he cure many of
us of our pride, by throwing us to Satan, leaving
us to ourselves, and giving us over to commit
some gross evil, even to fall down and break our
necks; and all to the end he may humble us,
tame us, and pull down our pride, which he seeth
we are heart-sick of It is good for us, therefore,
to be humble in the abundance of graces, that we
be not proud of that which we have, or that
which we have done. For humility in sinf is
better than pride in well-doing.
* Cauterized.
f It is better to lie humbled for our sins, than proud of well-doing,
2 Ckron. xxxii. 31.
f BIDE OP GIFTS. 31
Phil. Herein surely appeareth the great wis-
dom and mercy of God, that he so graciously
bringeth good out of evil, and tumeth our afllic-
tions, infirmities, falls and downfalls to his glory
and our good.
Theol. It is most true. For even as of the
flesh of a viper is made a sovereign medicine, to
cure those which are stung of a viper;* and as
physicians expel poison with poison; so God,
according to his marvellous wisdom, doth, of the
infirmities which remain in us after regeneration,
cure other more dangerous diseases; as pride,
vain-glory, and presumption. Oh, blessed there-
fore, be his name for ever, who thus mercifully
causeth all things to work together for the good
of his own people: of whom these things are
specially to be understood!
Phil. Is there no cause why men of great gifts
should glory in their g^fts?
Theol. No, surely, none at all. For the apos-
tle saith, "Who separateth thee? and what hast
thou, that thou hast not received? If thou hast
received it, why boasteth thou, as though thou
hadst not received it?" 1 Cor. iv. 7. Where the
apostle plainly sheweth, that no man is to be
proud of his gifts, because they are none of his
own; he hath but receive them to use. We
count him worthy to be laughed at as a fool, who
having borrowed brave apparel of others, (as a
silk gown, a satin doublet, a chain of gold, vel-
vet breeches, &c.) should proudly jet in the
streebs in them, as if they were his own; even
BO they are worthy to be chronicled for fools,
which are proud of good gifts, which are none of
* Flesh of the viper, anciently reckoned a sorereign remedy for the
viper's bite.
32 PEIDE or GIFTS.
their own. Therefore the prophet Jeremiah
saith, ix. 23, "Thus saith the Lord: let not the
wise man glory in his wisdom, nor the strong
man in his strength, neither the rich man in his
riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this,
that he understandeth, and knoweth me.' To
this point also, well saith the heathen poet, Theo-
critus, "No man can escape the punishment of
pride, therefore, in greatest prosperity be not
puffed up."
Phil. Yet it is a world to see how proud, surly,
haughty, stately, insolent, and thrasonical some
be, because of their gifts; they think they touch
the clouds with their heads, and that the earth
doth not bear them; they take themselves to be
petty angels, or some wonderful wights.* They
contemn and disdain all others which have not
the like gifts. They do contemptuously overlook .
them, as a lion would overlook a mouse, a king
a beggar; or, as we say in a proverb, "as the
devil overlooked Lincoln."
Theol. Oh proud dust! Oh haughty worm's
meat! If they would bring their hearts before
God, and their consciences, thoughts, and affec-
tions to be judged by this law, it would soon cool
them, andtake them down well enough; they should
see their wants and imperfections to be so great,
that they indeed should have no more cause to
boast of their gifts, than the black Moor hath of
his whiteness, because his teeth are white. The
Holy Grhost cuts all our combs, and pulleth down
all pride of flesh, when he saith, "How small a
thing doth man understand of God!"
JBMl. I pray you, let us proceed to speak of
• Creatures, beings.
PB£D£ Of S££SS. 33
the outward and gross pride of the world : and first
of all, tell me what you think of pride in apparel.
Theol. I think it to he a vanity of all vanities,
and a folly of all follies; for to he proud of ap-
parel, is, as if a thief should be proud of his halter,
a heggar of his clouts, a child of his gay toys, or
a fool of his bauble.
JPhil. Yet we see how proud many (especially
women) be of such baubles. For when they
have spent a good part of the day in tricking and
trimming, pricking and pinning, pranking* and
pouncing,t girding and lacing, and braving up
themselves in most exquisite manner, then out
they come into the streets, with their pedlar's
shop upon their back, and carry their crests very
high, taking themselves to be little angels, or at
least somewhat more than other women. Where-
upon they do so exceedingly swell with pride,
that it is to be feared they will burst with it, as
they walk in the streets. And truly we maj- think
the very stones in the street, and the beams in
the houses do quake, and wonder at their mon-
strous, intolerable, and excessive pride. For it
seemeth that they are altogether a lump of pride,
a mass of pride, even altogether made of pride,
and nothing else but pride, pride.
Theol. You seem to be very hot in the matter.
Asun. Marry, sir, I like him the better: for
the world was never so full of pride as it is now-
a-days.
Theol. Alas! alas! indeed, who can hold his
peace at the pride of this age! What a thing is
it, that flesh and blood, worms' meat, dust and
ashes, dirt and dung, should so brave it out with
* Dressiiig op smartly, t CnttiiigiB andont injags oractdlops.
D
34 PEIDE OF DEESS,
their trim clouts, and that in the sight of God,
angels and men! For the time will come, when
both they, and all their gay clouts shall be buried
in a grave: yea, as Job saith, xvii. 13, 14, " The
grave shall be their house, and they shall make
their bed in the dark. And then shall they say
to corruption, thou art my father; and to the
worm, thou art my mother and my sister."
What then shall it avail them thus to have ruf-
fled it out in all their bravery, when as suddenly
they shall go down to destruction ? What did it
profit the rich man to be sumptuously clothed,
and fare deliciously every day, when his body
was buried in the dust and his soul in hell fire?
Asun. I pray you, sir, what say you to these
great ruffs, which are borne up with supporters
and rebatoes,* as it were with post and rail?
Theol. What should I say ? but God be mer-
ciful unto us. For such things do draw down
the wrath and vengeance of God upon us all: and
as the apostle saith, Col, iii. 6, "For such things'
sake, the wrath of God cometh upon the children
of disobedience," And truly, truly, we may well
fear that God wiU plague us for our abominable
pride,
Asun. What say you then to these doubled
and redoubled ruffs which are now in common
use, strouting fardingales,t long locks, fore tufts,
shag hair, and all these new fashions which are
devised and taken up every day?
Theol. I say, they are far from that plain-
ness, simplicity, and modesty which hath been
in former ages: our forefathers knew no such
things. It is recorded of William Rufus, some-
* Head dresses. t Hoops.
PBIDE OF DBESS. 35
time king of this land, that when his chamber-
lain on a time brought him a new pair of hose,
he demanded of him what they cost: who an-
swered, three shillings. Whereat the king, being
somewhat moved, commanded him to prepare
him a pair of a mark. If kings were then
thought to exceed that bestowed more than a
mark upon a pair of hose, what is to be thought
of many mean men in these our days (yea, such
as have n& li\Tng, and are scarce of any good
calling) which bestow as much upon one pair as
the king did upon two, when he was thought
most of all to exceed? But, alas! alas! we have
passed all bounds of modesty and measure : there
is no hoe* with us. Our land is too heavy of
this sin. For the pride of all nations, and the
follies of all countries are upon us: how shall
we bear them? And as for these new fashions,
the more new they be the more foolish and ridi-
culous are they: for with our new fashions we
are growing clean out of fashion. If we had as
many fashions of our bodies as we have of our
attire, we should have as many fashions as fingers
and toes. But vain men and women do appa-
rently shew their vain minds by following so
greedily such vain toys and fashions.
Asun. It was never good world since starch-
ing and steeling, busks and whalebones, support-
ers and rebatoes, full moons and hobby-horses,
painting and dying, with selling of favour and
complexion, came to be in use; for since these
came in covetousness, oppression, and deceit have
increased. For how else should pride be main-
tained ? And sure it is, within these thirty years
* fixt measure.
'36 PBIDE OF DRESS.
these things were not known, nor heard of. And
what say you then to painting of faces, laying
open of naifed breasts, dying of hair, wearing of
perriwigs, and other hair coronets and top-gal-
lants? And what say you to our artificial women,
which will be better than God hath made them?
They like not his handy-work : they will mend it,
and have other complexion, other faces, other
hair, other bones, other breasts, and other bellies
than God made them.
Theol. This I say, that you and I, and all the
Lord's people, have great and just cause of
mourning, weeping, and lamentation, because
such abomination is committed in Israel, Psalm
cxix. 119. David's eyes gushed out with rivers
of tears because men kept not God's laws; and
an horrible fear came upon him because men for-
sook the law of God. Jeremiah (ix. 1) did sigh
in secret, wishing that his head were full of water,
and his eyes a fountain of tears, because of the
sins of the people. Nehemiah mourned for the
transgression of God's people. Lot's just soul
was vexed with the unclean conversation of the
Sodomites ; and shall we mourn nothing at all for
these things? shall we be no whit grieved for the
pride of our land ? shall we shed no tears for such
horrible and intolerable abomination ? They are
odious in the sight of God and men: the air
stinketh of them. It is God's marvellous pa-
tience that the devil doth not carry them away
quick, and rid the earth of them; or that fire
and brimstone doth not come down from heaven
and consume them.
Antil. You are too hot in these matters of
attire: you make more of them than there is
cause.
FBEDS OT DRESS. 87
A^un. 1 con* him thanks. God's blessing on
his heart: I shall love him the better while I
know him, because he is so earnest against such
shameful and detestable pride. Is it not a shame
that women, professing true religion, should make
themselves such pictures, puppets, and peacocks,
as they do ? and yet I hear few preachers in the
pulpit speak against it.
Antil. I marvel you should be so earnest in
matters of apparel. You know well enough that
apparel is an indifferent thing; and that religion
and the kingdom of God do not consist in these
things.
Theol. I know right well that apparel in its
own nature is a thing indifferent; but lewd, wan-
ton, immodest, and offensive apparel is not indif-
ferent; for aU such abuse taketh away the indif-
ferency of them, and maketh them sinful and
evil by circumstance ; for, otherwise, why should
the Lord threaten by his prophet that he would
visit the princes, and the king's children, and all
such as were clothed with strange apparel, that
is the fashions of other countries, Zeph. i. 8.
Again; why should the Lord so plague the proud
dames and mincing minions of Jerusalem for their
pride and vanity in attire, if there were no evil
in such kind of abuse ? The Lord saith thus, in
the third of Isaiah, against those brave and gal-
lant dames, " Because the daughters of Zion are
haughty, and walk with stretched-out necks, and
with wandering eyes, walking and mincing as they
go, and make a tinkling with their feet: therefore
shall the Lord make the heads of the daughters
of Zion bald, and the Lord shall discover their
* I give.
38 PEIDE OF DEESS.
secret parts. In that day shall the Lord take
away the ornament of the slippers, and the calls,
and the round tires, the sweet balls, and the
bracelets, and the bonnets, the tiers of the head,
and the stops, the head-bands, and the tablets,
the ear-rings, the rings, and the mufflers, the
costly apparel, and the veils, and the wimples, and
the crisping pins, and the glasses, and the fine
linen, and the hoods, and the lawns. And in-
stead of sweet savour, there shall be stink; and
instead of a girdle, a rent; and instead of dress-
ing of the hair, baldness; and instead of a sto-
macher, a girding of sackcloth, and burning in-
stead of beauty. Then shall her gates mourn
and lament: and she, being desolate, shall sit
upon the ground." Thus we see how terribly
the Lord threateneth the gallant dames of Jeru-
salem for their excessive and abominable pride.
And this may well be a mirror for the proud
minions of our age, which assuredly may well
fear the Lord will bring some such judgment
upon them as he did upon the daughters of Jeru-
salem : for their sin is as great in this kind as
was the daughters' of Zion; and God is the same
God now that he was then to punish it.
Antil. Tush: never speak so much of these
matters of apparel; for we must do as others do,
and follow the fashion, or else we shall not be
esteemed.
Theol. If you follow them not you shall be
more esteemed of God, of his angels, saints, and
all good men. As for all others, if you esteem
them more than these you shew what you are.
Antil. Well, for all that, say you what you
will, pride is in the heart, and not in the apparel ;
for one may be proud of plain apparel, as well as
PEIDE OF DEES8. 39
of costly; and some are as proud of their falling
bands, and little sets, as others are of their great
ruffs.
Theol. You speak foolishly. For how know
you that you can judge men's hearts and inward
affections? Can you say, when men's and wo-
men's apparel is sober, modest, and Christianlike,
that they have proud hearts, and are proud of
that attire? You go very far, indeed, to judge
the heart. You ought to judge charitably of
such as go soberly and modestly attired; even
that their heart is according to their attire. As
for you, we may rather think your heart is vain,
light, and foolish; because your attire doth
strongly argue it; and as the prophet saith, "The
shew of your countenance testifieth against you;
you declare your sins as Sodom, and hide them
not," Isa. iii. 9.
Antil. I pray you then set down some rules for
apparel out of the scriptures.
Theol. I may well set down what I will; but
surely most men and women will do what they
list. For verily it may be thought that many of
this age have forsworn God, and his word, and
all goodness; for they are come to this point,
let God say what he will, they will do what they
list. For as the prophet saith, "They have made
a covenant with hell, and with death, and are
grown to an agreement," Isa. xxviii. 15. And I
do verily think, if God himself should come down
from heaven in his own person, and dissuade men
and women from this vanity of apparel yet would
they still use it, as it were in despite of God and
as it were to anger him the more. For they are
so extraordinarily enamoured, and so immoder-
ately delighted with it, and do so continually, and
40 PRIDE OF DRESS.
altogether dote on it, and are so wood mad* of it,
that they will have it, though men and angels,
and all the world say nay; nay, which is more,
though they should go to the devil quick with
it. And therefore it is but lost labour to speak
against it, preach against it, or write against it.
It is but even to plough the sea, or knock at a
deaf man's door; for there is no hope of any re-
formation. Only this we gain, that the world is
reproved and convicted of sin; and these things
shall stand in record against them in the last day:
so that they may say, they had a fair warning,
and that there was a prophet amongst them.
Fhil. Yet for all this, I pray you set us down
some directions and rules, out of God's holy book,
concerning attire. For albeit some be very bad
and outrageous in these things, yet there be some
others which are well-disposed, and will (no doubt)
make some conscience to frame themselves accord-
ing to the rules of Grod's word.
TJieol. Well, then, for their sakes which are
well-disposed, I will set down some few directions.
St. Paul, in 1 Tim. ii. 9, willeth that "women
should array themselves in comely apparel, with
shamefacedness and modesty, as becometh women
that profess the fear of Grod: and not with braided
hair, or gold or pearls, or costly apparel." The
apostle Peter giveth like rules also: for he saith,
1 Pet. iii. 3-6, speaking of Christian matrons,
and professors of holy religion, that their apparel
must not be outward, that is, not consist so much
in outward bravery, (as braided hair, gold put
about, &c.) as it must be inward, that the hidden
man of the heart may be clothed with a meek and
* Furiously mad.
FBISE OT DEESS. 41
quiet spirit, which is a thing before God much
set by. " For after this manner," saith he, " in
times past, the holy women, which trusted in God,
did attire themselves:" as Sarah, Rebecca, Eachel,
and such like ancient and grave matrons.
Phil. Wherein doth this inward clothing spe-
cially consist?
Theol. In four things, which are set down in
the forenamed places: to wit, shamefacedness,
modesty, a quiet spirit, and a meek spirit.
Fhil. These be fine suits of apparel, indeed.
I would all women would put them on, and never
put them off, but wear them continually. For
they are the better for wearing, though all other
apparel be the worse.
Theol. If women would deck themselves in-
wardly with these aforesaid virtues, they would
be unto them as ornaments of gold, and jewels of
pearl. "For the women that feareth the Lord
shall be praised," Prov. xxxi. 30.
Phil. But now I pray you, sir, set down your
judgment for outward attire.
Theol. This is all that I can say, touching the
point, that it must be as the apostle saith: comely,
decent, handsome, neat and seemly: not hght,
not wanton, not lascivious, not immodest, not
offensive.
Phil. But who shall judge what is comely,
sober, handsome, modest, &e.? For every man
and women will say, their apparel is but decent
and cleanly, how gallant, brave, and flaunting
soever they be.
Theol. Herein the examples of the most godly,
wise, grave, and modest men and women are to
be followed: for who can better judge what is
comely, sober, and modest, than they ?
42 PEIDE OF DEESS.
JPhil. But we see some, even of the better sort,
in this matter are a little infected, run out, and
go beyond their bounds.
Theol. The more is the pity. But alas! we
see the sway of the time, and the rage of the
stream is so violent, that it carrieth before it
whatsoever is not settled, and very deep-rooted.
And some godly and well-disposed persons, whose
hearts are not with these things, but with God,
are, notwithstanding, perforce, carried away with
the violence of the wind and tide; whose case,
though it cannot be well defended, or excused,
yet it is much to be pitied and lamented.
Phil. Have you any further directions touch-
ing this point.
Theol. There is one thing yet more to be
added, to wit, that attire be according to men's
places, callings, and degrees. For that is not
seemly for one that is seemly for another: that
becomes not one man's place that becometh an-
other's : for that is not meet for poor men which
is meet for rich men: nor that meet for mean
men which is meet for men of note and great
place.
Phil. Then you think it lawful for kings,
princes, and great personages, to wear pearl,
gold, silver, velvet, &c. ?
Theol. Questionless; it is lawful for such in
sober manner and measure, to wear the most
costly and precious things which the earth can
afford: and that, to set out the magnificence,
pomp and glory of their places. And therefore
such things are in them most comely and
decent.
Phil. But now-a-days few will keep within
compass, few will know their places: but the
PBIOE OF DfiESS. 43
most part run beyond their bounds, and leap
quite out of their sockets.
Theol. True indeed, for now-a-days, mean
gentlewomen, yea, some gentlewomen of their
own making, will ruffle it, and brave it out in
their attire, like countesses and ladies of honour.
Plain folks also, in the country, wUl flaunt it like
courtiers, and like good gentlemen and gentle-
women: and they seem to say in their he^s, fie
of this plainness, we will no more of it, we will
not take it as we have done. So that now the
old proverb is verified " every Jack will be a
gentleman, and Joan is as good as my lady."
For now we cannot, by their apparel, discern the
maid from the mistress; nor the waiting gentle-
woman from her lady. And thus we see, in this
matter of apparel, how all is out of joint.
Phil. Is there any more -to be said in this
case ?
Theol. There is yet another thiiig to be re-
spected in this matter of attire.
Phil. What is that?
Theol. That it be according to men's abilities.
For it is lamentable to consider, how poor men
and women, poor hired servants, milk-maids, and
such like, go quite beyond their abilities. And
more lamentable, to see what wretched and ill-
favoured shifts they make to compass these
things, so sharp and so eagerly are they set upon
them.
WHOREDOM AND ADULTERY.
Phil. Well sir, now you have sufficiently rolled
the stone, and at large satisfied us touching the
matter of pride, which is the first sign of con-
demnation ; now proceed to the second, which is
whoredom, and unfold unto us out of the scrip-
tures the dangers thereof.
Theol. Solomon in his Proverbs, xxii. 14, saith,
"That the mouth of a strange woman, or an
harlot, is as a deep pit: he, that is a detestation to
the Lord, shall fall therein ;" wherein he plainly
sheweth, that those whom God detesteth, and
is exceeding angry with, are given over to this
vice. A.nd, in another place, xxiii. 27, he saith,
"A whore is as a deep ditch, and as a narrow pit;"
noting thereby, that if a man be once fallen in
with an harlot, he shall as hardly get out again,
as a man that is plunged into a very deep and
narrow pit, where he can scarce stir himself. The
same Solomon, in the book of Ecclesiastes, vii. 26,
yieldeth us the reason hereof; namely, because
she is as nets, snares, and bands; wherein if a
man be once taken he is fast enough for getting
out. " I find," saith he, " more bitter than death,
the woman, whose heart is as nets and snares,
and her hands as bands. He that is good before
God shall be delivered from her ; but the sinner
shall be taken by her." We do therefore plainly
see, in what a labyrinth and a dangerous case
they be, that are left of God, and given over to
whoredom and harlots. And therefore it is said,
Prov. vi. 25, 26, " Desire not her beauty in thine
heart; neither let her eyelids catch thee. For,
WHOBEBOM AKD ADULTEET. 45
by a whorisli woman a man is brought to a
morsel of bread : and the adulteress hunteth for
life, which is precious." Again he saith, v. 3, 4,
" Albeit the lips of an harlot drop as an honey-
comb, and the roof of her mouth is softer than
oil; yet her latter end is bitter as wormwood,
and as sharp as a two-edged sword." AU these
prudent speeches of the Holy Ghost do most
evidently shew unto us, what a fearful thing it
is to commit whoredom, and so to fall into the
hands of whores and harlots. Therefore Job
saith of the wicked, xxxvi. 14, " Their soul dieth
in youth, and their life among the whoremongers."
Phil. You have very well shewed, out of God's
book, the great danger of whoredom and adultery ;
and it is greatly to be lamented that men in
this age make so light of it as they do, and that
it is so common a vice: nay, that soQne (alas, with
grief I speak it) do profess it, live by it, and
prostitute themselves wholly unto it.
TTieol. Such men and women may justly fear
the plaguing hand of God: for the Lord saith,
by his prophet, " Though I fed them to the full,
yet they committed adultery, and assembled
themselves by companies in harlots' houses.
They rose up in the morning like fed horses;
every man neigheth after his neighbour's wife.
Shall I not visit for these things? (saith the
Lord) Shall not my soul be avenged on such a
nation as this?" Jer. v. 7-9.
Phil. Methinketh, if men were not altogether
hardened in this sin, and even past feeling, and
past grace, this threatening and thundering of
God himself from heaven should terrify them.
Theol. A man would think so indeed: but
now we may take up the old complaint of the
46 WHOEEDOM AND ADULTEET.
prophet, Jer. viii. 6, "I hearkened and heard,
and lo, no man spake aright: no man repented
of his evil, saying, What have I done? Every
one turned to their race, as the horse rusheth
into the battle."
Antil. Tush, whoredom is but a trick of youth;
and vre see all men have their imperfections,
Theol. You speak profanely and wickedly ; for,
shall we count that but a trick of youth for the
which the Lord smote three and twenty thousand
of his own people in one day ? 1 Cor. x. 8. Shall
we count that but a trick of youth for the which
the Lord threatened David, his own servant, that
the sword should never depart from his house?
2 Sam. xii. 10. Shall we count that but a trick
of youth, for the which Hamor and Shechem,
Gren. xxxiv. 25, the father and the son, and many
other, both men, women, and children, were
cruelly murdered by Simeon and Levi, the sons
of Jacob ? Shall we count that but a trick of
youth, for which the Lord slew Hophni and
Phineas, the two sons of Eli the priest, in the
battle of the Philistines ? 1 Sam. ii. 22, iv. 11.
Shall we thus set all at six and seven, and make
light of such horrible villanies? Doth not the
severity of the punishment shew the greatness of
the sin ? Doth not the apostle say, " These
things came upon them for our examples, upon
whom the ends of the world are come," 1 Cor.
X. 11, and yet you pass it over with a tush, and
a trick of youth, as if God were to be dallied
with? No, no, "be not deceived; God is not
mocked." They which will not be moved now
in hearing, shall one day be crushed in pieces in
feeling. And they which now call whoredom, a
trick of youth, shall one day howl and cry, yell
VHOREDOM XSJ> ADTJLTEKT. 47
and yelp, for such tricks, with woe and alas that
ever they were bom.
Antil. Oh! Sir, you must bear with youth:
youth you know is frail; and youth will be
youthfvd, when you have said all that you can.
Theol. Yes, but God doth allow no more li-
berty unto youth, than unto age; but bindeth
all, upon pain of death, to the obedience of his
commandments. The apostle saith, " Let the
young men be sober minded," Tit. ii. 6. David
saith, " Wherewith shall a young man cleanse
his way ? In taking heed thereto according to
thy word," Ps. cxis. 9. The wise man saith,
" Remember thy Creator in the days of thy
youth, Eccl. xii. 1. And further addeth, that
if they will needs follow their lusts, their plea-
sures, and their own swing, yet in the end he
will bring them to judgment, arraign them, con-
demn them, and tame them in hell-fire well
enough.
Phil. Yet we see, men are so violently carried
after their lust, and so desperately bent, that they
will have the present sweet and pleasure of sin,
come of it what will. Come sickness, come death,
come hell, come damnation, they are at a point:
they will pay the highest price for their lusts.
They will purchase theii* pleasures with the loss
of their souls. Oh, wofid purchase! Oh, dam-
nable pleasures!
Theol. Sweet meat will have sour sauce, and a
dram of pleasure a pound of sorrow. Such cursed
catiffs* shall at last pay a dear shot for their plea-
sures. Such desperate wretches shall one day
know (to their everlasting woe) what it is to pro-
* Mean rillaiiis.
48 WHOBEDOM AND ADULTEET,
voke God, and to sin with so high an hand against
him. They shall well know, in spite of their
hearts, that vengeance is prepared for the wicked,
and that there is a God that judgeth the earth.
Let all men therefore take heed in time, "For
whoremongers and adulterers God will judge,"
Heb. xiii. 4. And the apostle saith flatly, "That
whoremongers and adulterers shall not inherit
the kingdom of God," 1 Cor. vi. 9. "Let there-
fore no fornicator, or unclean person, be found
amongst us, as was Esau," Heb. xii. 16. "But
let us abstain from fleshly lusts, which fight
against the soul," 1 Pet. ii. 11. "And let every
one know how to possess his vessel in holiness
and honour, and not in the lust of concupiscence,
as the Gentiles, which know not God," 1 Thess.
iv. 5. Herein let us consider the wise speech of
an ancient father (Chrysostom), "Sin, while it is
in doing, ministereth some pleasure; but when it
is committed, the short pleasure thereof vanisheth
away, and long sorrow cometh instead of it."
Neither let us here reject the saying of a wise
heathen, "Shun pleasure, for fear of smart."
Sour things follow sweet, and joy heaviness.
Antil. Yet for all this, you shall not make me
believe, that whoredom is so heinous a matter.
You make more of it than it is.
Theol. True indeed. For you, and such as
you are, will believe nothing against your lusts,
and fleshly delights: and that is the cause why
you are deaf on this ear. I will therefore add a
word or two more (out of the oracles of God) to
that which hath been spoken. The wise king
saith, "He that committeth adultery with wo-
men, destroy eth his own soul," Prov. vi. 32,
and so is accessory to his own death, which is no
WHOREDOM AND ADULTERY. 49
small matter. For we used to saj, if a man hung
himself, drown himself, or any manner of way
make away with himself, that he was cursed of
God, that God's hand was heavy against him, that
the devil owed him a shame, and now he hath
paid it him. And all the country rings of such
a strange accident, when, and where it falleth
out: and the crowner* of the country doth sit upon
it.f How much more may all the world wonder
at this, that a man should destroy his own soul,
and wittingly and willingly cast away himself for
ever! Xow the Holy Ghost saith, the adulterer
doth such an act, giveth such a venture, and
willingly murdereth himself. Oh, therefore woe
unto him, that ever he was horn! For sure it is
that great crowner of heaven, that crowns whom
he will crown, shall one day sit upon it, and give
judgment. Moreover, as the adulterer sinneth
against his soul, so also he sinneth against his
hody after a special manner, as witnesseth the
apostle, 1 Cor. vi. 18. Also, he sinneth against
his goods and outward estate, as the holy man
Job testifieth, saying, " Adultery is a fire, that
devoureth to destruction, and it will root out all
our increase," Job xxxi. 12. Furthermore, he
sinneth against his name, " For the adulterer shall
find a wound and dishonour: and his reproach
shall never be put away," Prov. vi. 33. — Item,
he sinneth against his wife ; who is his companion
and the wife of his covenant. And God saith, in
the same place, " Let none trespass against the
wife of his youth ; keep yourselves in your spirit,
and transgress not." Last of all, he sinneth
* Coroner.
■> It appears that goicides were rare occurrences in those days.
How lamentably frequent are they in these last days!
E
50 WHOREDOM AKD ADULTEBT.
against his children and posterity: as the Lord
said to David, " Because thou hast despised me,
and done this, therefore the sword shall never de-
part from thy house. Behold I will raise up evil
against thee, out of thine own house," 2 Sam. xii.
10. Now therefore, to conclude this point, we
may see how many deadly wounds men make in
themselves, hy committing of adultery. They
wound themselves in their souls — they wound
themselves in their bodies — they wound them-
selves in their goods — they wound themselves in
their names — they wound themselves in their
wives and in their children. What man, except
he were stark mad, would thrust himself, in so
many places, at once ? The adulterer, with his own
sin of adultery, maketh all these deadly wounds
in himself; and it is a hundred to one he will
never get them cured, but will die, and bleed to
death of them. Lo, thus you see the dangerous
quality and condition of this sin. Shall we now
therefore make light of it ? Shall we say it is but
a trick of youth ? Shall we smooth over the mat-
ter with sweet words, when the Holy Ghost
makes it so heinous and capital? Shall we make
nothing of that which draweth down Grod's wrath
upon the soul, body, goods, name, wife, and chil-
dren? That were an intolerable blindness, and
most extreme hardness of heart. An ancient
writer hath long ago passed sentence upon us, who
make so light of this sin : for, saith he, " Adul-
tery is the very book of the devil; whereby he
draweth us to destruction." And another godly
father saith: that "Adultery is like a furnace,
whose mouth is gluttony, the flame pride, the
sparks filthy words, the smoke an evil name, the
ashes poverty, and the end shame." And so we
WHOEEDOM AND ADULTERY. 51
plainly see, that howsoever we regard not this sin,
bat flatter ourselves in it, yet those, whose eyes
the Lord hath opened, have in all ages condemned
it as most flagitious and horrible: yea, the very
heathen will rise up in judgment against us, who
have spoken and written many things against this
filthy and beastly vice.
Phil. Now indeed you have sufficiently branded
the vice of adultery, and laid out the ugliness
thereof, that all men may behold it stark naked
and abhor it. If any man, notwithstanding all
this, will venture upon it, he may be said to be a
most desperate monster. For what doth he else,
but, as it were, put his finger into the lion's
mouth, and, as it were, take the bear by the
tooth ? and they may "well know what will follow,
and what they may look for. Let all men there-
fore in time take heed to themselves, and to their
own souls, as they will answer it at their utter-
most peril, at the dreadful day of judgment, when
the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed. But
now one thing resteth ; to wit, that you should
shew us the special roots and causes of adultery.
Theol. There be five special causes of it. The
first is our natural corruption: for the very spawn
and seed of all sin is in our corrupt nature; and
this, of all others, is a most inherent sin, as wit-
nesseth the apostle James, saying, "When lust
hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin,
when it is perfected, bringeth forth death," i. 15.
— The second is gluttony and fulness of bread: for
when men have filled their bellies, and crammed
their paunches, as full of good cheer, wine, and
strong drink, as their skins can hold, what are
they meet for, or what mind they else, but adul-
tery and uncleanness ? And therefore well saith
52 WHOREDOM A3TD ADULTERY.
one, "Great nourishment, and gross food, it is the
shop of lust." The heathen poet could skill to
say, "Sine Cicere et Baccho friget Venus,^' with-
out meat and drink, lust waxeth cold; and to
this effect the wise king saith, "That their eyes
shall behold strange women, whose hearts are set
upon wine or belly cheer," Prov. xxiii. 3, 33;
and therefore he adviseth all men, not to look
upon the wine when it appeareth red, when it
sheweth his colour in the cup, or stirreth very
kindly; and that for fear of this after-clap. An
ancient writer saith to the same purpose, "He
that delicately pampereth his belly, and yet would
overcome the spirit of fornication, is like him that
will quench a flame of fire with oil." Therefore
to close up this point, sure it is though men pray
much, hear and read much, and be otherwise well-
disposed; yet except they be abstemious in diet,
they will be much troubled with lust. — The third
cause of adultery is idleness; for when men are
lazy, lurkish, and idle, having nothing to do, they
lie wide open to adultery, and lust creepeth into
them. Some historiographers write, the crab fish
is very desirous to eat oysters ; but because she
cannot by force open them, she watcheth her
time when they open themselves unto the sun
after the tide, and then she putteth in her claw,
and pulleth out the oyster. Even so Satan
watcheth his opportunity against us, that he may
infect and breathe into us all filthy lusts, and
adulterous desires, when we lie open unto him by
idleness. Wisely therefore, to this point, said the
Greek poet, "Much rest nourisheth lust;" and
another poet saith, "Qucvritur cegistus quare
sit f actus adulter ? In promt u causa est : de-
sidiosus erat," Slothful laziness is the cause of
WHOBEDOM ASD ADULTERY. 53
adultery; and therefore another saith, "Eschew
idleness, and cut the sinews of lust." — The fourth
cause of adultery, is wanton apparel; which is a
minstrelsy, that pipes up a dance into whoredom.
But of this enough before. — The fifth and last of
adultery, is the hope of impunity, or escaping of
punishment. For many being blinded and har-
dened by Satan, think they shidl never be called
to an account for it, and because they can blear
the eyes of men, and carry this sin so closely
imder a cloud, that it shall never come to light,
they think all is safe, and that God seeth them
not; and therefore Job saith. Job xxiv. 15, "The
eye of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, and
saith, no eye shall see me;" and in another place,
Job xxii. 13, "How shall God know? can he
judge through the dark clouds?" But verily,
verily, though theadalterer do never so closely and
cunningly convey his sin under a canopy, yet the
time will come when it shall be disclosed, to his
eternal shame. "For God will bring every work
to judgment, with every secret thought, whither it
be good or evil," Eccles. xii. 14. For he hath
set our most secret sins in the light of his coun-
tenance," Psalm xc. 8. "And he will lighten
the things that are hid in darkness, and make the
counsels of the heart manifest," 1 Cor. iv. 5. For
this cause Job saith. Job x. 14, "When I sin
thou watchest me, and wilt not purge me from
my sin."
Phil. Now you have shewed us the causes of
adultery, I pray you shew us the remedies.
Theol. There be six remedies for adultery;
which no doubt will greatly prevail, if they be
well practised.
PUl. Which be thev?
54 COTETOUSNESS.
Theol. Labour, abstinence, temperance, prayer,
restraint of senses, shunning of women's com-
pany, and all occasions whatsoever.
COVETOUSNESS.
Phil. Well, sir, now you have waded deep
enough in the second sign of damnation : I pray
you let us proceed to the third, which is covetous-
ness. And, as you havelaid naked the two former,
so I pray you, strip this stark naked also, that all
men may see what an ugly monster it is, and there-
fore hate it and abhor it.
Theol. I would willingly satisfy your mind;
but on this point I shall never do it sufficiently.
For no heart can conceive, or tongue sufficiently
utter the loathsomeness of this vice. For covet-
ousness is the foulest fiend, and blackest devil of
all the rest. It is even great Beelzebub himself.
Therefore I shall never be able fully to describe
it unto you ; but yet I will do what I can to strip
it, and whip it stark naked. And howsoever that
men of this earth, and blind worldlings, take it,
to be most sweet, beautiful, and sfeiiable, andthere-
fore do embrace it, entertain it; and welcome it,
as though there were some haqb'^iness in it; yet I
hope, when I have shewed them the face thereof
in a glass (even the true glass of God's word) they
will be no more in such love, but quite out of
conceit with it. I will therefore hold out this
glass to them. Paul to Timothy brandeth this
sin in the forehead, and boreth it in the ear, that
C0VET0USNE8S. 55
all men may know it, and avoid it, when he saith ,
" Covetousness is the root of all evil," 1 Tim. vi.
10. Our Lord Jesus also giveth us a watch-word
to take heed of it, saying, "Take heed and
beware of covetousness," Luke xii. 15; as if
he should say, touch it not, come not near it, it
is the very breath of the devil: it is present death,
and the very ratsbane of the soul. The apostle
layeth out the great danger of this sin, and doth
exceedingly grime the face of it, when he saith,
*' That the end of all such as mind earthly things,
is damnation," Phil. iii. 19. Let all carnal world-
lings, and muckish-minded men lay this to heart,
and consider well of it, lest they say one day,
had I wist.*
Phil. Good, sir, lay open to us the true nature
of covetousness, and what it is, thab we may more
perfectly discern it.
Theol. Covetousness is an immoderate desire
of having.
Phil. I hope you do not think frugality, thrif-
tiness, and good husbandry to be covetousness.
Theol. Nothing less ;t for they be things com-
manded ; being done in the fear of God, and with
a good conscience.
Phil. Do you not think it lawful also for men
to do their worldly business, and to use faithful-
ness and diligence in their callings, that they may
provide for themselves and their families?
Theol. Yes, no doubt. And the rather, if they
do these things with calling on God for a bless-
ing upon the works of their hands; and use prayer
and thanksgiving before and after their labour,
taking heed all the day long of the common cor-
* O had I known the conseipiences. t Certainly not.
56 COVETOUSNESS.
ruptions of the world, as swearing, cursing, lying,
dissembling, deceiving, greedy getting, &c.
Phil. Wherein I pray you doth covetousness
especially consist?
Theol. In the greedy desire of the mind. For
we may lawfully do the works of our calling, and
play the good husbands and good housewives ; but
we must take heed that distrustfulness, and in-
ward greediness of the world do not catch our
heart : for then are we set on fire, and utterly
undone.
PMl. Since covetouness is especially of the
heart, how may we know certainly when the heart
is infected?
Theol. There be four special signs of the heart's
infection.
Fhil. Which be they?
Theol. The first is an eager and sharp set de-
sire of getting. Therefore the Holy Ghost saith,
"He that hasteth to be rich, shall not be un-
punished," Prov. xxviii. 20, 22. And again,
''An heritage is hastily gotten at the beginning;
but the end thereof shall not be blessed," Prov.
XX. 21. The heathen man also saith, " No man
can be both justly and hastily rich." — The
second is a pinching and niggardly keeping of
our own, that is, when men, being able to give,
will hardly part with any thing, though it be
to never so holy and good use. And when at
last with much ado, for shame they give some-
thing, it Cometh heavily from them, God wot,*
and scantily. — The third is, the neglect of holy
duties: that is, when men's minds are so taken
up with the love of earthly things, that they begin
* God kiiowetli.
COVETOTJ8NE8S. 57
to slack and cool in matters of God's worship. —
The fourth and last is, a trusting in riches, and
staying upon them, as though our lives were
maintained by them, or did consist only in them ;
which thing our Lord Jesus flatly denies, saying,
" Though a man have abundance, yet his life
consisteth not in the things that he hath," Luke
xii. 15. — These then are four evident signs and
tokens, whereby we may certainly discern that
men's hearts and entrails are infected with covet-
ousness.
Phil. You have very well satisfied us in this
point. Now let us understand the original causes
of covetousness.
Theol. There be two special causes of covet-
ousness. The one is the ignorance and distrust
of God's providence; the other is the want of
tasting and feeUng of heavenly things: for till
men taste better things they will make much
of these, till they feel heaven they wUl love
earth, till they be religious they will be covetous.
Therefore the cause is soon espied why men
are so sharp set upon these outwai-d things, and,
do so admire riches, worldly pomp, pleasures,
and treasures; because they know no better, they
never had taste of feeling of those things which
ai'e eternal.
Fkil. Now as you have shewed us the causes
of covetousness, so let us also hear of the effects.
Theol. If I once enter into this, I shall be en-
tangled and woimd up in a maze, where I know
not how to get out again. For the evil effects of
this vice are so many, and so great, that I know
not almost where to begin, or where to end. Not-
withstanding, I will enter into it, get out how I
can.
58 COTETOUSNESS.
Phil. If you do but give us some taste of them
it shall suffice.
Theol. Then will I briefly dispatch things in
order. And first of all, I reason from the words
of the apostle before alleged, that if covetous-
ness, and the love of money, be the root of all
evil, then it is the root of idolatry, the root of
murder, the root of theft, the root of lying, the
root of swearing, the root of simony, the root of
bribery, the root of usury, the root of lawing, the
root of all contentions in the church, and the root
of all brabbling and brawling in the common-
wealth. Moreover, it spreadeth far and near; it
dwelleth in every house, in every town, in every
city; it pryeth into every corner, it creepeth into
every heart, it annoyeth our physicians, it in-
fecteth our divines, it choke th our lawyers, it
woundeth our farmers, it baneth our gentlemen, it
raurdereth our tradesmen, it bewitcheth our mer-
chants, it stingeth our mariners. Oh! covetous-
ness, covetousness! it is the poison of all things,
the wound of Christianity, the bane of all good-
ness! For covetousness mars all; it marreth all,
everywhere, in all places, in all degrees, amongst
all persons. It marreth marriages ; for it coupleth
young to old, and old to young. It marreth
hospitality, it marreth all good housekeeping, it
marreth alms-deeds, it marreth religion, it marreth
professors, it marreth ministers, it marreth magis-
trates, it marreth all things. And therefore what
sin so grievous, what evil so odious, what vice so
enormous as this? For this cause it was prettily
said of one, that all other vices are but factors to
covetousness, and serve for porters to fetch and
bring in her living. She maketh simony her
drudge, bribery her drudge, usury her drudge.
C0TEX0USKE8S. 59
deceit her drudge, swearing her drudge, lying her
drudge. Oh! what a devil incarnate is this, that
setteth so many vices at work, and hath so many
factors and underlings to serve her turn! Are
they not in a pretty case, think you, that are in-
fected with this sin ? Oh! they are in a most
miserable case. It had been good they had
never been bom. For being alive they are dead,
dead I mean in their souls; for covetousness is
soul's poison, and soul's bane. Covetousness is
the strongest poison to the soul that is. It is a
confection of all the spiders, toads, snakes, adders,
scorpions, basihsks, and all other the most venom-
ous vermin of the whole world. If the devil can
get us to take down but one pennyweight of it,
it is enough, he desires no more; for presently we
fall down stark dead. Therefore the apostle saith,
"They that will be rich (he meaneth in all haste,
by hook or by crook) fall into temptations and
snares, and into many foohsh and noisome lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition,"
1 Tim. vi. 9. For as covetousness is rank poison
to the soul, so the apostle compareth it to the deep
gulf, wherein thousands are drowned ; and
therefore he addeth, in the same place, v. 11,
"But thou, O man of God, -flee these things;"
in which words he doth most gravely advise all the
ministers of the word of God to take heed of it.
For as it is dangerous to all men, so it is most
dangerous and offensive in the preachers of the
gospel.
Phil. Indeed it must needs be granted that
covetousness is a very grievous sin; yea even a
monster with seven heads. Yet for all that, we
see in this our iron age, how many of all sorts
are infected with it; and how few will give any
60 COVETOUSNISS.
thing to any holy use. Most men now-a-days
have nothing to spare for Christ, nothing for his
gospel, nothing for his church, nothing for the
poor children of God, and needy members of
Christ. Christ is a little beholden unto them,
for they will do nothing for him, no not so much
as speak a good word in his cause, or the cause
of his poor saints. Every little thing with them
is too much for God, and good men. For when
they come to giving unto holy and necessary uses
then they will stick at a penny, and scotch at a
groat, and every thing is too much. But to
bestow upon themselves, nothing is too much.
Nothing is too much for lust, for pleasure, for
back, belly, and building; for cards and dice, for
whores and harlots, for rioting and revelling, for
taverns and brothel-houses; hundreds and thou-
sands are little enough, and too little for their ex-
penses this way. It is lamentable to consider,
what masses of money are spent and bestowed
upon these things. But, alas, alas! how heavy
an account are they to make in the day of the ■
Lord, which so spend their lands, livings, and
revenues! I quake to think what shall become
of them at last. It were well for them, if they
might be in no worse case than a crocodile, or a ]
cur dog.
TJieol. It is most certain that you say, and we
all have great cause to lament it, and to take up
the old complaint of the prophet, Jer. vi. 13,
saying, " From the least of them even unto the
greatest of them, every one is given unto covetous-
ness; and from the prophet even unto the priest,
they all deal falsely." And another prophet
saith, "They buildup Zion with blood, and Jeru-
salem with iniquity. The heads thereof judge for
COTETOIIS>'ESS. 61
rewards, and the priests thereof teach for hire,
and the prophets thereof prophesy for money; yet
will they lean upon the Lord and say, is not the
Lord amongst us? no evil can come unto us,"
Micah iii. 10, 11. But these holy prophets, and
men of God, do fully describe unto us the state
of our time; wherein, though all be corrupted,
yet we bear ourselves stoutly upon God, we pre-
sume of his favour, because of our outward pro-
fession, and say in our hearts, no evil can come
unto us.
Asun. You say very true, sir. The world was
never so set upon covetousness, and men were never
sogreedily given to the world as now-a-days. And
yet, in truth, there is no cause why men should
be so sharp set upon this world. For this world
is but vanity, and all is but pelf and trash. Fie
on this muck!
Fliil. Many such men as you are, can skill to
give good words, and say, fie on this world; all
is but vanity: and yet for all that, in your daily
practice you are nevertheless set upon the world,
nor never the more seek after God. You hear
the word of God no whit the more, you read no
whit the more, pray never the more; which evi-
dently sheweth, that all your fair speeches and
protestations, are naught else but hypocrisy and
leasing. Your heart is not with God, for all this.
All is but words: there is no such feeling in the
heart. And, therefore, I may justly say to you,
as God himself said unto his people, "This people
have weU said all that they have spoken. Oh ! that
there were such an heart in them, that they would
fear me, and keep all my commandments!"
Deut. V. 28, 29.
Theol. His. words, indeed, are good, if his
62: COVETOTJSNESS.
heart were according. For, all things consi-
dered, there is no cause why men should be so
given to this world; for they must leave it, when
they have done all that they can. As we say,
"To-day a man, to-morrow none." And as the
apostle saith, " We brought nothing into this
world, and, it is certain, we can carry nothing
out," 1 Tim. vi. 7. We must all die, we know
not how soon: why therefore should men set
their hearts upon such uncertain and deceivable
things ? for all things in this world are more
light than a feather, more brittle than glass,
more fleeting than a shadow, more vanishing
than smoke, more inconsistent than the wind.
"Doubtless," saith the prophet David, "man
walketh in a shadow, and disquieteth himself
in vain: he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell
who shall gather them," Ps. xxxix. 6. I won-
der, therefore, that these moles and muckworms
of this earth, should so mind these shadowy
things, and so dote on them as they do. If they
were not altogether hardened and blinded by the
devil, they would not be so nearly knit to the
clod and the penny as they are: thinking, and
always imagining, that there is no happiness but
in these things, which are but dung and dross:
and at last they will give us the slip, when we
think ourselves most sure of them. The wise
king, who had the greatest experience of these
things that ever man had, for he enjoyed whatso-
ever this world could afford, upward and down-
ward, backward and forward, yet could find no-
thing in them but vanity and vexation of spirit.
Moreover, he flatly avoucheth, that all these
things, riches, wealth, honour, pleasures, and
treasures, will most notably deceive us in the
COTETOUSITESS. 63
end, give us the slip and be gone. For he com-
pareth riches, and all the glory of this world, to
an e^le or hawk, which a man holdeth upon his
fist, stroketh her, maketh much of her, taketh
great delight and pleasure in her, and saith he
will not take ten pounds for her: yet all on the
sudden she taketh her flight, and flieth up ipto
the air, and he never seeth her more, nor she
him. The words of the Holy Ghost are these,
" Wilt thou cause thine eyes to fly after them?
(meaning riches). Thou may est but they will
not be found. For they will make themselves
wings like to the eagle, which flieth up to
heaven," Prov, xxiii. 5. From thence we may
learn, that though we set our hearts never so
much on any thing here below, yet at the last it
shall be taken from us, or we from it. There-
fore, all worldly men do but weave the spider's
web, and may fitly be compared to the silly spi-
der, who toileth herself, and laboureth all the
week long to finish up her web, that she may
lodge herself in it, as in her own house and free-
hold. But alas, at the week's end, a maid in a
moment, with one brush of her broom, dispos-
sesseth her of her inheritance which she had
purchased with great labour and much ado.
Even so, when the men of this world have,
with much care and trouble, purchased great
lands and revenues, and gathered all that they
can; yet on the sudden, death (with one stroke
of his direful dart) will make them give up the
ghost; and then where are they? It was pret-
tily, therefore, said of a man in the light of na-
ture, " No man hath ever lived so happily in this
life, but in his life-time many things have be-
fallen him, for the which he had wished rather
b^i COTETOUSNESS.
to die than to live." And assuredly I think there
was never any man lived any one day upon the
face of this earth, but some grief or other either
did, or justly might invade his mind ere night;
either in the temptations of the world, the flesh
or the devil : or in regard of soul, body, goods,
or name; in regard of wife, children, friends, oj-
neighbours; in regard of dangers to prince, es-
tate, church, or commonwealth; in regard of
casualties and losses by water, by fire, by sea,
or by land. What a life therefore is this, that
hath not one good day in it ? Who would desire
to dwell long in it ? For it lieth open every day
to manifold miseries, dangers, losses, casualties,
reproaches, shame, infamy, poverty, sickness,
diseases, colics, agues, tooth-ache, head-ache,
back-ache, bone-ache, and a thousand calamities.
Phil. You have very well described unto us the
vanity of this life, and that no day is free from
one sorrow or other, one grief or other; which
thing our Lord Jesus ratifieth, in the reason
which he bringeth, why men should not distrust-
fully care for to-morrow. "For (saith he) suffi-
cient unto the day is the evil thereof," Matt. vi.
34 ; or, as some read it, " The day hath enough
with his grief;" wherein he doth plainly shew,
that every day hath his sorrow, his evil, his grief,
and his thwart. But I pray you proceed further
in this point.
Theol. This I say further; that when men have
swinked* and sweat, carked and cared, moiled and
turmoiled, drudged and droiled,t by night and by
day, by sea and by land, with much care and sor-
row, much labour and grief, to rake together the
* Laboured. t Slaved.
COTETOUS5fESS. 65
things of this life: yet at last, all will away again,
and we must end where we began. For, as Job
said, i. 21, " Naked we came into the world, and
naked we must go out." For even as a wind-mill
beateth itself, maketh a great noise, whistleth and
whisketh about from day to day, all the year long;
yet at the year's end standeth still where it be-
gan, being not moved one foot backward or for-
ward; so when men have blustered and blown aU
that they can, and have even run themselves out
of breath, to scrape up the commodities of the
earth, yet at last they must, spite of their beards,
end where they be^an; end with nothing, as
they began with nothing; end vdth a winding
sheet and began with swaddling clouts. For
what is become of the greatest monarchs, kings,
princes, potentates, and magmficoes, that ever
the world had? Where is Cyrus, Darius,
Xerxes, Alexander, Caesar, Pompey, Scipio, and
Hannibal? Where are the valiant Henrys,
and noble Edwards of England? Are they not
all gone down to the house of oblivion?
Are they not all returned to their dust, and all
their thoughts perished? Though they were as
gods, yet have they died as a man, are fallen like
others. Who now careth for them ? who talketh
of them? who feareththem ? who regardeth them ?
Do not beggars tread upon them? Yet, while they
hved, they were the lori of the world; they were as
terrible as lions ; fearful to all men ; full of pomp and
glory, dignity and majesty. They plowed up all
things, they bare all before them, and who but
they? But now they have given up the ghost,
and are, as Job saith, xxx. 23, " Gone down to
the house appointed for all the living." Their
pomp is descended with them, and all their glory
66 COVETOIJSNESS.
is buried in the ashes. They are now covered
under a clod, cast out into a vault, made compan-
ions to toads, and the worms do eat them ; and
what is become of their souls, is most of all to be
feared. Thiis we see how all flesh doth but make
a vain show for a while upon this theatre of misery,
fetcheth a compass about, and is presently gone.
For as the poet saith, " Serins aut citius sedem
proper amus ad unam:^^ first, or last, we must all
to the grave.
Asun. You have made a very good speech. It
doth me good to hear it. I wonder, all these
things considered, that men should be so "wholly
given to this world as they are. I think the devil
hath bewitched them. For they shall carry noth-
ing with them when they die, but their good
deeds and their ill.
Theol. The grudges and snudges* of this world,
may very fitly be compared to a king's sumpter-
horse, which goeth laden all the day long, with
as much gold and treasure, as he can bear; but
at night his treasure is taken from him, he is
turned into a sorry dirty stable, and hath nothing
left him, but his galled back. Even so the rich cor-
morants and caterpillars of the earth, which here
have treasured and horded up great heaps of gold
and silver, with the which they travel laden
through this world, shall in the end be stript out
of all, let down into their grave, and have nothing
left them but their galled conscience, with the
which they shall be tumbled down into the dun-
geon of eternal darkness.
Pliil. Wherein doth the sting and strength of
the world especially consist ?
* Misers.
COTETOUSITESS. 67
Theol. Even as the great strength of Sampson
lay in his hair, so the great strength of the world
lieth in her two breasts: the one of pleasure, the
other of profit. For she, like a notable strumpet,
bv laying out these her breasts, doth bewitch the
sons of men, and allureth thousands to her lust.
For if she cannot wiu them with the one breast,
yet she gaineth them with the other: if not with
pleasure, then with profit ; if not with profit, then
with pleasure. He is an odd man of a thousand
that sucketh not of the one breast or the other.
But sure it is, whichsoever he sucketh, he shall
be poisoned. For she giveth none other milk, but
rank poison. The world therefore, is like to an
alluring Jael, which sitteth at her door, to entice
us to come in and eat of the milk of her plea-
sures: butwhenshehath oncegotusin,she is ready,
even while we afe eating, with her hammer and
nail, to pierce through our brains, Judges iv. 21.
JPhil. I see plainly, this world is a very strum-
pet, a strong bait, and a snarling net, wherein
thousands are taken. It is very bird lime, which
doth so belime our affections that they cannot
ascend upward. It is like the weights of a clock,
hanged upon our souls, which draweth them down
to the earth: it naileth us fast down to the
ground. It mortifieth us into clay: it maketh
us abominable unto God. For I remember God
made a law, that whatsoever goeth with his breast
upon the ground, should be abominable unto us,
Levit. xi. How much more these carnal world-
Ungs, which are fast soldered to the earth!
Theol. The apostle James, seeing into the deep
wickedness of this world, and knowinor right well
how odious it maketh us in the sight of God,
crieth out against it, terming it adultery, and
68 COYETOUSNESS.
all worldlings adulterers; because they forsake
Christ, their true husband, and whorishly give
their hearts to this world, iv. 4, " 0 ye adulterers
and adulteresses, saith he, know ye not that the
amity of this world, is the enmity of God ? Who-
soever therefore, will be a friend of this world,
maketh himself the enemy of God." And who
dare stand forth and say, I will be the enemy of
God? Who therefore dare be a worldling? for
every worlding is the enemy of God. What
then will become of you, O ye wicked worldlings?
FJiil. It appeareth then plainly by the scrip-
tures, that the excessive love of this world, and
unsatiable desire of having, is a most dangerous
thing; and men do not know what, in seeking
so greedily after it.
Theol. The heathen man, Sophocles, will rise
up in judgment against us: for he saith, "Unsa-
tiableness is the foulest evil amongst mortal men ;
but many of our seagulfs and whirlpools make no
conscience of it." They think it is no sin: they
devour and swallow up all; and yet are never
satisfied. They will have all, and more than all,
and the devil and all. The whole world cannot
satisfy their mind: but God must create new
worlds to content them. These men are sick of
the golden dropsy : the more they have, the more
they desire. The love of money increaseth, as
money itself increaseth. But the scripture saith,
" He that loveth silver, shall not be satisfied with
silver," Eccles. v. 10. Oh, therefore, that we
would strive earnestly to get out of this gulf of
hell, and tread the moon, that is, all worldly
things, under our feet, as it is spoken of the
church, and that we would set our affections on
the things that are above, and not on the things
COTETOrSNESS. 69
that are beneath: that we would fly an high pitch,
and soar aloft as the eagles, looking down at this
world, and all things in it, as at oui- feet, con-
temning it, and treading the very glory of it un-
der our feet, that it may never have more power
over us! Rev. iii. 1.
Phil. O happy and twice happy are they that
can do so! And I beseech the Almighty God,
give us his Holy Spirit, whereby we may be car-
ried above this world, into the mountains of
m\TTh, and the mountains of spices. Cant. iv. 6.
For how happy a thing is it to have our conversa-
tion in heaven, that is, to have an inward con-
versation with God, by much prayer, reading,
meditation, and heavenly affections! This, in-
deed, is to climb up above the world, and to con-
verse in the chambers of peace. Oh, therefore,
that we could seriously and thoroughly conceive
and consider of this world as it is, that we would
well weigh the vanity of it, and the excellency of
that which is to come, that we might loathe the
one and, and love the other; despise the one, and
embrace the other: love God more than ever we
did, and this world less. For what is this world
but vanity of vanities ?
Asun. You do exceedingly abase that which
some make their god. You speak contemptuously
of that which most men have in greatest price
and admiration. You disgrace that which multi-
tudes would grace. You make light of that which
numbers make greatest account of. Let us there-
fore hear your reasons: shew us more fully what
it is ; describe it unto us.
Theol. The world is a sea of glass, a pageant
of fond delights, a theatre of vanity, a labyrinth
of error, a gulf of grief, a sty of filthiness, a vale
70 COVETOUSNESS.
of misery, a spectacle of woe, a river of tears, a
stage of deceit, a cage full of owls, a den of
scorpions, a wilderness of wolves, a cabin of
bears, a whirlwind of passions, a feigned comedy,
a delectable phrenzy; where is false delight, as-
sured grief, certain sorrow, uncertain pleasure,
lasting woe, fickle wealth, long heaviness, short
joy-
Phil. Now, you have indeed described it to
the full, and laid it out, as it were, in orient
colours. And a man would think, he were be-
witched, or stark mad, which hereafter should
set his mind on it. But yet I am desirous to
hear a little more of that, which I asked yon be-
fore, wherein the strength and poison of the
world doth especially consist.
Theol. In this lieth a great strength of the
world, that it draweth down the stars of heaven
and maketh them fall to the earth, as it is said of
the dragon's tail, (Eev. xii. 4.) which is ambi-
tion, covetousness, and the love of this world.
For we may wonder and lament, to see how the
love of these things hath wounded and overborn
many excellent servants of God, both preachers
and professors of the gospel: which thing doth
plainly argue the strength of it. For it is the
strongest and the very last engine, that Satan
useth to im.pugn us withal, when none other will
prevail. For when no temptation could fasten
upon Christ, he bringeth forth this last weapon
which never faileth; " All these things will I give
thee," Matt. iv. 9, shewing him the glory of the
whole world. So then he, having the experience
of this, that it never faileth, thought to have
overcome Christ himself with it. Here, therefore,
lieth the very sting and strength of the world and
COVETOrSNESS. 71
the devil. For whom hath he not taken with
" all these things will I give thee?" whom hath
he not wounded? whom hath he not deceived?
whom hath he not overthrown? With this he
enticed Balaam; with this he beguiled Achau;
with this he overthrew Judas; with this he be-
witched Demas; with this, in these our days, he
deceived many of excellent gifts. For assuredly,
he is a phoenix* amongst men, which is not
overcome with this. He is a wonderment in the
world, that is not moved with money.
Phil. I am now fully satisfied with this matter.
But one thing cometh often into my mind; to
wit, that these miserable wordlings can have no
sound comfort in their pleasures and profits: be-
cause they have no comfort in God, nor peace in
their own consciences.
Theol. You say very true. It is impossible,
that men, loving this world, should have any
sound comfort in God. For no man can serve
two masters, both God and riches. Their case
therefore, is very dangerous and fearful, though
they never see it, nor feel it: as I will shew you
by a plain example. Put a case: one of these
great rich wordlings should be clothed in vel-
vet and cloth of gold, in most stately manner,
and also should be set at his table, furnished with
all the dainties of the world; should be attended
and waited upon by many, in most lordly and
pompous manner; should sit in his goodly
dining-chamber, all glittering like gold; should
have his first, second, and third service served
in, with minstrels and instruments of music, in
most royal sort; he sitteth in his chair, like a
* A very rare bird, of which the ancients used to say there was but
one at a time in beiusc.
72 COTETOUSNESS.
king in his throne: yet for all this, if a dagger
should be held to his heart all this while, ready
to stab him, what pleasure, what joy, what com-
fort can he have in all the rest ? Even so, what-
soever pomp or pleasures wicked wordlings have
here below, yet tlieir guilty and hellish conscience
is, as it were, a dagger, held always hard to their
heart, so as they can have no sound comfort in
any thing. Or let me give it you thus : put this
case, a man hath committed high treason, and
were therefore apprehended, arraigned, and con-
demned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered: what
then can comfort him in such a case? can mirth,
can music, can gold, can silver, can lands, can
livings? No, no: none of all these can help him,
or give him any comfort. For the continual
thoughts of death do so gripe him at the heart,
that none of all these can do him any good or any
Avhit mitigate his grief. What then is the thing
that may comfort him in this case ? Only a
pardon, sealed with the king's broad seal, and
subscribed with his own hand. For as soon as
he hath got this, his heavy heart reviveth, and
he leaps for joy. This then assuredly is the very
ease of all profane atheists and worldlings, who
are not assured of the king of heaven his pardon
for their sin: and then, what joy can they have
either in their meat, drink, goods, cattle, wines,
children, lands, revenues, or any thing whatsoever ?
For the dreadful thoughts of hell, do eftsoones*
cross them inwardly, and quite damp and dash all
their mirth. Their own consciences will not be
stilled; but in most terrible manner, rise up and
give evidence against them, telling them flatly
* Speedily.
C0TET0XrS5E88. 73
they shall be damned, how merry and jocund
soever they seem to be in this world ; setting a
good face on the matter. For sure it is, that
inwardly they have many a cold pull, and many
heart gripes. And all their mirth and jollity, is
but a giggling from the teeth outward: they can
have no sound comfort within. And therefore
the wise king saith, " Even in laughter the heart
is sorrowful: and the end of that mirth is heavi-
ness," Prov. xiv. 13. Likewise saith the holy
man Job, xxvii. 20, " Terrors of conscience come
upon the wicked man like waters: in the night
a whirlwind carriethhim away secretly." Eliphaz,
the Temanite, avoucheth the same point, saying,
" The wicked man is continually as one that
travaileth of child ; a sound of fear is in his ears,"
&c. Job XV. 20, 21. Thus then we see, that how-
soever many carnal atheists, and ungodly persons,
seem outwardly to float aloft in all mirth and
jollity, bearing it out, as we say, at the breast :
yet inwardly they are pinched with terrors, and
most horrible convulsions of conscience.
Antil. You have spoken many things very
sharply against covetousness: but in my mind,
so long as a man covets nothing but his own, he
cannot be said to be covetous.
TJieol. Yes, that he may. For not only is he
covetous which greedily desireth other men's
goods; but even he also which over-niggardly
and pinchingly holdeth fast his own, and is such
a miser, that he will part with nothing. We see
the world is full of such pinch-pennys, that will
let nothing go, except it be wrung from them
perforce, as a key out of Hercules'* hand. These
* A hero of heathen fiable of prodigious strength.
74 COYETOUSNESS.
gripple* muck-i-akers had as leave part with their
blood as their goods. They will pinch their own
backs and bellies, to get their god into their
chests. And when they had once got him in
there, will they easily part with him, trow ye?
No, no ; a man will not part with his god, for no
man's pleasure. He will eat pease-bread, and
drink small drink, rather than he will diminish
his god. Therefore the scripture saith, " Eat not
the meat of him that hath an evil eye; and de-
sireth not his dainty dishes. For as he grudgeth
his own soul, so he will say unto thee; eat and
drink, when his heart is not with thee. Thou
shalt vomit thy morsels which thou hast eaten
and loose thy pleasant speeches," Prov. xxiii. 6-8.
The old saying is, the covetous man wanteth as
well that which he hath, as that which he hath
not; because he hath no use of that which he hath.
So then you see, there is a great strength of covet-
ousness, in the niggardly keeping of our own.
Antil. Yet, for all this, men must follow their
worldly business, and lay up to live. For it is
an hard world, and goods are not easy to come by.
Therefore men must ply their business, or else
they may go to beg or starve.
Theol. I deny not, but that you may follow
the works of your calling dilligently: so it be in
the fear of God, and with a good conscience, as I
told you before ; but this greediness and griple-
ness God doth condemn, and also, his excessive
love of money.
Phil. Believe me, I know nobody that hateth
it; I cannot see but that all men love gold and
silver.
* Eager getters.
COVETOUSITESS. 75
Theol. It is one thing to use these things, and
another thing to love them and set our hearts
upon them. For the scripture saith, "If riches
increase, set not your heart upon them," Psahn
Ixii. 10. Saint John also saith, ii. 15, "Love not
this world, nor the things that are in this world."
He saith not, use not this world; but love not
this world. For use it we may; love it we may
not. Therefore the apostle saith, "That they
which use this world, should be as though they
used it not," 1 Cor. vii. 31, where he aUoweth
a sober and moderate use of the things of this life
in the fear of God. We must use this world for
necessities' sake, as we use meat and drink. For,
no more of this world then needs must, for fear
of surfeiting. The Holy Ghost saith, "Let your
conversation be without covetousness, and be
content with things present," Heb, xiii. 5.
Happy is that man therefore, that is well con-
tent with his present estate whatsoever it may be,
and carrieth himself moderately and comfortably
therein. For the Spirit saith, "There is no pro-
fit to a man under the sun: but that he eat and
drink, and delight his soul with the profit of his
labours. I saw also this, that this is of the hand
of God," Eccles. ii. 24. In which words, the
prudent king saith thus much, in efiect, "That
this is all the good we can attain unto in this
world, even to take sober and comfortable use of
the things of this life, which God bestoweth upon
us. And further he avoueheth, "That thus to
use them aright, and with sound comfort, is a very
rare gift of God." For as one saith, Gregorius
Nazi, "He is a wise man, that is not grieved for
the things which he hath not; but doth re-
joice in the things that he hath; using them to
76 COYETOTJSyESS.
God's glory, and his own comfort." So then, I
conclude this point, and return you an answer
thus: that we may in sober and godly manner,
use gold, silver, and the things of this life ; but at
no hand to overlove them, or give our hearts unto
them.
Antil. Well, yet for all this, I cannot see but
that these preachers and professors, these learned
men, and precise fellows, are even as eager of the
world, and as covetous as any other.
Theol. Now you show your venomous spirit,
against better men than yourself: And I have a
fourfold answer for you. — First, I answer, that
although godly men may be somewhat overtaken
this way, and over-spirt* a little, yet they break
not so grossly as others. — Secondly, if God leave
them sometimes to be overcome of the world, yet
he, in his great wisdom and mercy, turneth it to
their good. For thereby he first humbleth them
and afterward raiseth them up again. "And so all
things work together for good, to them that love
God," Rom. viii. 28. — Thirdly, I answer, that we
live by rules, and not by examples. For even the
best of God's people have had their wants and
weakness. Therefore we may not frame rules to
live by out of the infirmities of the most excel-
lent servants of God. Wicked, therefore, and
impious is their allegation, which allege David's
adultery. Lot's drunkenness, Peter's fall Abraham's
slips, Solomon's sins, &c. for a shelter and defence
of themselves in the like sins. — Lastly, I answer
that you do greatly wound yourself, in your own
speech: so far oif are you from mending your
market any whit thereby. For if preachers and
* Overtaken.
COTETOTTSNESS. 77
other godly men, after many prayers and tears,
and much means used, cannot escape scot-free,
but sometimes are wounded, and aLuost over-
thrown, by the world and the devil; what then
shall become of you, which use no means at all,
nor any gain striving, but willingly give place to
the devil? If the devil did over-master David,
Lot, Sampson, Solomon, and other such excellent
worthies, alas ! what shall become of mere world-
lings and atheists? If the most valiant men,
and chief captains iu a battle go down, what shall
become of the faint-hearted soldiers? and, as St.
Peter saith, 1 Epis. iv. 18, "If the righteous
scarce be saved, where shall the wicked and un-
godly appear?" So then I take you at the re-
bound, and return your own weapon upon your-
self, that since godly men cannot escape through
this world, without blows, what shall become of
them which know not what godhness meaneth?
Antil. Yet, I say once again, that men must
live, men must lay up for this world: we cannot
live by the scriptures. And as for that which
you call covetousness, it is but good husbandry.
Theol. I thought, we should have it at last.
Now you have paid it home: you are come to
the old bias, and as an hare to her old form, and
her old covert. For this is the very covert and
thicket of the world, wherein they woiild hide
covetousness: but I will do what I can to himt
you out of it, by the scriptures. First, Solomon
saith, " He that spareth more than is right, shall
surely come to poverty," Prov. xi. 24. So then
you see, that covetousness bringeth poverty.
Thus, therefore I reason: that which bringeth
poverty is no good husbandry: but covetousness,
and too much sparing, bringeth poverty; there-
78 COTETOTJSNESS.
fore it is no good husbandry. The same Solomon
saith, " He that is given to gain, troubleth his
own house." That is, the covetous man is an
occasion of many evils, in his estate and family.
From this scripture I do thus reason : that which
troubleth a man's house, is no good husbandry;
but covetousness troubleth a man's house: there-
fore it is no good husbandry. Last of all, the
old proverb saith, " Covetousness bringeth nothing
home;" and therefore it is no good husbandry.
For oftentimes we do see, that men, for covetous-
ness of more, lose that which otherwise they
might have had. One of the wise heathens saith,
(Hesiodus), " Evil gain is as bad as loss." But
the covetous man doth seek after wicked gain,
and therefore seeketh loss: and consequently is
no good husband. Another saith, (Phocillides),
" Unjust gain bringeth both loss and misery."
And therefore it is far enough off from virtue,
and all good husbandry. Thus then, I hope, you
are so hunted both by God and men, that this
covert cannot hide you. And therefore you must
out of it, and seek some other shelter; for this
will not serve your turn.
Phil. Now I must needs say, j'-ou have fully
stopt his mouth, and thoroughly ferreted him out
of his deep burrow. And it is most certain that
you say, that the wise heathen have condemned
covetousness, and all unjust gains, which we both
practice and defend; and therefore will rise up in
judgment against us. But now let us leave the
caviller for the present.
REMEDIES AGAINST COVETOUSNESS.
god's special care of his children; and their
great privileges.
Fhil. I must confess, Theologus, that you have
fully entered into the matter of covetousness, yet
there is one thing remaining wherein 1 desire to
be satisfied.
Theol. What is that?
Phil. I woidd gladly know which be the spe-
cial remedies against covetousness.
Theol. There be two special remedies against
covetousness ; to wit, contentment, and the medi-
tation of God's providence.
Phil. Let us hear somewhat of contentment
out of the scriptures.
Theol. The apostle saith, 1 Tim. vi. 7, 8,
"Having food and raiment, we must therewith be
content; for we brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we shall carry nothing out."
The Spirit also saith, "Let your conversation be
without covetousness, and be content with your
present estate," Heb. xiii. 5. Again, the apostle
saith, "He had learned in what estate soever he
was, therewith to be content," Phil. iv. 11. Note
that he saith, he had learned; for he had it not of
himself. For contentment is the singular gift of
God: as it is written; "The righteous eateth to
the contentment of his soul, but the belly of the
wicked shall want," Prov. xiii. 25. An ancient
father saith, (Cyril in Joan iv.) "We ought to ac-
custom ourselves to live of a little, and to be con-
tent; that we may do no wicked or filthy thing
80 EEMEDIES AGAINST
for lucres' sake." Another saith, (Chrysost.
iiomil. li.) "He is not poor that hath nothing; but
he that desireth much. Neither is he rich that
hath much but he that wanteth nothing; for con-
tentment never wanteth. There is no grief in
lacking, but where there is immoderate desire in
having. If we will live after nature, we shall
never be poor; if after our own appetite, we shall
never be rich." Well therefore, said the poet,
(Euripedes,) "Wax not rich unjustly, but justly;
be content with thine own things; abstain from
other men's," Thus then we see, that both God
himself, the fountain of all wisdom, and men also,
both in the state of nature and grace, do all
jointly advise us to strive for contentment; and
then shall we have a sovereign remedy against
covetousness.
Phil. Let us hear somewhat of the second re-
medy against covetousness.
Theol. An earnest thinking Upon the provi-
dence of God, is a present remedy against the
most foolish and pining carefulness of men for
this life. For if we would seriously weigh and
deeply consider the provident care that God hath
had for his children in all ages, touching food and
raiment; and how strangely he hath provided for
them, it might suffice to correct this evil in us,
and minister unto us a notable preservative against
covetousness. — We read how wonderfully theLord
did provide for his prophet Elijah, in the time of
the great dearth and drought, that was in Israel.
Did not the Lord command the ravens to feed
him, by the river Cherith? did not the ravens
bring him bread and flesh in the morning, and
bread and flesh in the evening, and he drank of
the river? 1 Kings xvii. What should I speak
COVETOTTSNESS. 81
how miraculously God provided for Hagar and
her infant, when they were both cast out of
Abraham's house, and brought to great extremity!
even both of them ready to give up the ghost for
want of food, Gen. xxi. 15-21. Did not God
help at a pinch, as his manner hath always been ?
did not he send his angel unto them, and both
comfort them, and provide for them? What
should I speak how strangely God provided for
his church in the wilderness? Exod. xvi. 4. Did
he not feed them with manna from heaven, and
gave them water to drink out of the rock ? Exod.
xvii. 6. Hath not our heavenly father made many
royal and large promises, that he will provide
necessaries for his children ? Psalm Ixxviii. Shall
we not think that he will be as good as his word?
Doth he not say. Psalm xxxiv. 10, " The hons
lack, and suffer hunger; but they which seek him,
shall want nothing that is good?" Doth he not
say, V. 9, " Fear him all ye saints ; for nothing
is wanting to them that fear him?" Doth he not
say, Psalm 1 xxxiv. 11, " No good thing shall be
withheld from them that walk uprightly? Doth
he not say. Matt. vi. 23, " Our heavenly Father
knoweth that we have need of these things; and
that all these things shall be cast upon us, if we
earnestly seek his kingdom?" Doth he not bid
us cast all our care upon him? 1 Pet. v. 7,
"for he careth for all." Doth he not bid us,
" Take no thought what we shall eat, or what we
shall drink, or wherewithal we shaU be clothed?"
Luke xii. 29, meaning thereby, no distracting
or distrustful thought. Doth he not say, he
will not leave us, nor forsake us? Heb. xii. 5.
Doth he not say, "The Lord is at hand: in
nothing be careful?" Phil. iv. 5, 6. Are not these
82 EEMEDIES AGAINST
large promises sufficient to stay up our faith in ;
Grod's providence? shall we think God jesteth
with us ? shall we think he meaneth no such mat-
ter? shall we imagine he will not keep truth?
Oh, it were blasphemy once to think it? for God
is true, and all men liars. He is faithful that
hath promised. His word is more than the faith
of a prince: more than ten thousand obligations.
Why then do we not rest upon it? why go we
any further ? why do we not take his word ? why
do we not depend wholly upon him ? why are we
stiU covetous? why are we still distrustful? why
do we dissemble and deceive? Oh we of little
faith! Om' Lord Jesus, knowing right well the
distrustfulness of our nature, and the deep root it
hath in us, is not only content to make these
large and royal promises unto us which were
enough; but also strengtheneth and backeth us
with many strong reasons, to support our weak-
ness in this behalf. He therefore bringeth us
back, to a due consideration of things. " Consider
(saith he) the ravens ; consider the fowls of the
heavens : for they neither sow nor reap, nor carry
into barns; and yet God feedeth them ; they want
nothing. Consider the lilies how they grow;
they neither labour, nor spin ; yet Solomon in all
his royalty, was not clothed like one of these,"
Luke xii. 22-30. Oh, therefore, that we would ;
consider these considers! Oh that we would con-
sider that our life is more worth than meatj and
our bodies than raiment! Oh that we would con-
sider, that with all our carking and caring, we
can do no good at all; no, not so much as add ;
one cubit to our stature!* Truly, truly, if we =
* "Stature." The original Greek signifies "age." See John ix. 23, ;
as well as stature. All our distrustful care cannot prolong our life one '■
COTETOU8NE8S. 83
would deeply ponder these reasons of our Saviour,
and apply them to ourselves, they might serve
for a bulwark and sure defence against covetous-
ness. If men would consider how that great
King of heaven, who hath his way in the whirl-
wind, and the clouds are the dust of his feet,
careth for the little wren, and silly spprrow; how
he looketh to them, how he tendereth them, how
he provideth for them every day, both breakfast,
dinner, and supper: it might serve to correct our
distrustfulness. For who ever saw these, or any
other soul starve for hunger? so good a father,
and so good a nurse have they. And are not we
much better than they? hath not God more care
of us, than of them? yes, verily, a thousand times.
For he loveth them, but for our sakes : how much
more then doth he love ourselves? Therefore I
say again and again, if we would consider these
things, and lay them to heart, they would nip co-
vetousness on the head, and drive it quite out of
our hearts. Let us consider, therefore, that God
provided for man before man was: then how
much more will he provide for man, now that he
is? Is he our Father, and will he not provide
for us? Is he our King, and will he not regard
us? Is he our Shepherd, and will he not look to
us? Hath he provided heaven for us, and will
he not give us earth ? Hath he given us his Son
Christ, and shall he not with' him give us all
things? Doth he provide for his enemies, and
will he not provide for his friends? Doth he
provide for whoremongers, and wiU he neglect his
chosen? Doth he send his rain, and cause his
hour. Job vii. 1. Why heap up treasure for uncertain lifer Trust
God in well-doing — cast all anxious care upon tiim — and be ever wait-
ing for his coming.
84 EEMEDIES AGAINST
sun to shine upon the unjust, and shall he not
upon the just ? Doth he provide for them which
are not of the family, and will he not provide for
his own family ? Will a man feed his hogs, and
not care for his servants? or will he care for
his servants, and not regard his own children?
Oh, then, le^ us consider these reasons: let us re-,
member, that our heavenly Father hath as great
care for the preservation of his creatures, as once
he had for their creation. Let us therefore re-
member that our life consisteth not in these
things; but in the providence of God. Let us
remember that he which giveth the day, will
provide for the things of the day. Let us remem-
ber that God always giveth for sustenance, though
not for satiety. Let us remember that God will
not famish the souls of the righteous, Prov. x. 3.
Let us remember how God never failed his. For
who ever trusted in the Lord and was confound-
ed?
Pldl. What then is the cause that many do
want outward things?
Theol. The cause is in themselves, because
they want faith. For if we had faith, we could
want nothing. " For faith feareth no famine," as
saith an ancient father. And another saith, for
as much as all things are God's, he that hath
God can want nothing : if he himself be not
wanting unto God. Therefore to have God is to
have all things. For if we have him our friend
we have enough, we need go no further. For he
will make men our friends: yea, he will make
angels, and all creatures to be serviceable unto
us : he will give them a special charge to look to
us, to guard us, and to do continual homage unto
us. Therefore, let us make God our friend, and
COVETOUSNESS. 85
then have we done all at once that may concern
our good, both for this life and a better. But if
he stand not our friend; if we have not him on
our side; if he back us not, then all other things
whatsoever can do us no good: all is not worth a
button. For quid prodest, si omnia hahes, eum
tamen, qui omnia dedit, non habere? WTiat is a
man the better though he have all things, and be
without him which is the author of all things ?
PhU. Herein you speak very truly, no doubt.
For we see, many have great plenty of outward
things ; but because they have not God, they can
have no true comfort in them, or blessing with
them.
Theol. True, indeed; "For man liveth not by
bread only, (saith our Lord Jesus} but by every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God,"
Matt. iv. 4. And again he saith, " Though a man
have abundance, yet his life consisteth not in the
things that he hath," Luke xii. 15. For without
God's blessing there can be no sound comfort in
any thing. We see, by daily experience, how
the Lord curseth the wicked, though they have
abundance. For some, having abundance, yet
are visited with continual sicknesses. Some,
having abundance, pine away with consumptions.
Others, having abundance, die of surfeiting.
Others are snatched away by untimely death, in
the midst of their jolUty. Others are visited
with gi-eat losses, both by sea and by land.
Others are vexed with cursed wives and disobe-
dient children. Some, again, commit murders,
and treasons, and so lose all at once. Others
are wasted and consumed by the secret curse of
God; no man knoweth how. Some having great
riches are given over to the murderer, some to
86 EEMEDIES AGAINST
the thief, some to the poisoner. Therefore the
wise king saith, " There is an evil sickness under
the sun; riches reserved to the owners thereof,
for their evil," Eccles. v. 13. Zophar, also, the
Naamathite, saith, " When the wicked shall
have sufficient and enough, he shall be brought
into straits," Job xx. 22, 23: the hand of every
troublesome man shall be upon him. When he
should fill his belly, God will send upon him
his fierce wrath, which he shall rain upon him
instead of his meat. Thus, then, it is clear that
man's life and good estate dependeth not upon
the abundance of outward things, but only upon
the blessing and providence of God. For, " His
blessing only maketh rich, and it doth bring no
sorrow with it," Prov. x. 4. For, " Better is a
little unto the just, than great abundance to
many of the wicked," Psalm xxxvii. 16. " Better
is a little with righteousness, than great revenues
without equity," Prov. v. 16, and xvi. 18. Thus,
then, I conclude this point: man liveth not by
bread, but by a blessing upon bread; not by ;
outward means, but by a blessing upon means.
For how can bread, being a dead thing, and >
having no life in itself, give life to others ? ;
Phil. I do not well understand the meaning '
of these words: " By every word that proceedeth \
out of the mouth of God."
Theol. Thereby is meant, the decree, ordinance,
and providence of God, which upholdeth all
things, even the whole order of nature; for the
scriptures saith, "He spake and it was done: he
commanded and they were created. Psalm xxxiii.
9. In words which we plainly see, that God doth
but speak, and it is done; he doth command, and
all creatures are preserved. For God doth all
COTETOUSirESS. 87
things with a word. He created all with his
word; he preserveth all with his word; he speak-
eth, and it is done. His words are words of power
and authority. Whatsoever he saith, whatsoever
he calleth for, it must be done presently, without
any delay, there is no withstanding of him. He
calleth for famine, and behold famine. He call-
eth for plenty, and behold plenty. He calleth for
pestilence, and behold pestilence. He calleth for
the sword, and behold the sword. All angels, all
men, aU beasts, all fishes, all fowls, all creatures
whatsoever must obey him, and be at his beck.
He is the greatest commander ; his word com-
mandeth heaven and earth and the sea. AU
creatures must be obedient to his will, and
subject to his ordinance. This is the cause why
aU things, both in heaven, earth, and the sea, do
keep their immutable and invariable courses,
times and seasons, even because he hath charged
them so to do. And they must of necessity
always, at all times and for ever, obey ; for the
creatures must obey the Creator. This act of
parliament was made the first week of the world,
and never since was or can be repealed.
Phil. But, to call you back again to the point
we had in hand, resolve me, I pray you, of this :
whether many of the dear children of God do not
in this life sometimes want outward things, and
are brought into great distress ?
Theol. Yes, certainly. For Elijah did want,
and was in distress. Paul did want, and was in
many distresses. The holy Christians, mentioned
in the Hebrews, did want, and were in marvellous
distresses. Many of God's dear ones have in aU
ages wanted, and at this day also do want, and
are greatly distressed. But this is a most infaUi-
88 REMEDIES AGAINST
ble truth, that howsoever God's children may
want, and be low brought, yet they are never
utterly forsaken, but are holpen even in greatest
extremities; yea, when all things are desperate,
and brought even to the last cast. — To this point,
most notably speaketh the apostle, saying, "We
are afflicted on every side, but yet we despair not;
we are persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down,
but we perish not," 2 Cor. iv. 7, 8. The pro-
phet Jeremiah also saith, "The Lord will not for-
sake for ever : but though he send affliction, yet
will he have compassion, according to the multi-
tude of his mercies. For he doth not punish
willingly, or from his heart, nor afflict the chil-
dren of men," Lam. iii. The kingly prophet
saith, "Surely the Lord will not fail his people,
neither will he forsake his inheritance," Psalm
xciv, 14. The Lord himself saith, "For a mo-
ment in mine anger, I hid my face from thee;
but with everlasting mercy have I had compassion
on thee," Isa. liv. 7, 8. So then we may fully
assure ourselves, and even write of it, as a most
undoubted and sealed truth, that God's children
shall never be utterly forsaken in their troubles.
Phil. Since the care and providence of God is
so great for his children, as you have largely de-
clared, what then I pray you is the cause, why
God suflFereth his to be brought into so many
troubles and necessities ?
Theol. Their profit and benefit is the cause,
and not their hurt. For he loveth them, when
he smiteth them. He favoureth them, when he
seemeth to be most against them. He aimeth at
their good, when he seemeth to be most angry
with them. He woundeth them, that he may heal
them. He presseth them, that he may ease them.
COTBTOUSITESS. 89
He maketh them cry, that afterward they may
laugh. He always meaneth well mito them, he
never meaneth hurt. He is most constant in his
love towards them. If he hring them into neces-
sities, it is hut for the trial of their faith, love,
patience, and diligence in prayer. — If he cast
them into the fire, it is not to consume them, hut
to purge and refine them. If he bring them into
great dangers, it is but to make them call upon
him more earnestly, for help and deUverance. —
He presseth us, that we might cry; we cry, that
we may be heard; we are heard, that we might be
delivered. So that there is no hurt done; we are
worse scared than hurt. Even as a mother, when
her child is wayward, threateneth to throw it to
the wolf, or scareth it with some poker or bull-
beggar, to make it cling more unto her and be
quiet; so the Lord oftentimes sheweth us the
terrible faces of troubles and dangers to make us
cleave and cling faster unto him; and also to
teach us to esteem better of his gifts when we
enjoy them, and to be more thankful for them ;
as health, wealth, peace, hberty, safety, «fcc. So
then, still we see, here is nothing meant on God's
part, but good; as it is written, "All things
work together for good, to them that love God."
For even the affictions of God's children are so
sanctified unto them by the Spirit, that thereby
they are made partakers of God's holiness. There-
by they enjoy the quiet fruit of righteousness.
Thereby they attain unto a greater measure of
joy in the Holy Ghost. Thereby the world is
crucified to them, and they to the world. There-
by they are made conformable to Christ's death.
Thereby they are kept from the condemnation of
the world. Thereby they learn experience, pa-
90 SUEE DELIVEEANCE
tience, hope, &e. So that, all things considered,
God's children are no losers by their afflictions,
but gainers. It is better for them to have them,
than to be without them ; they are very good for
them. For when God's children are chastised,
it is as it should be. For to them, the cross is
mercy, and loss is gain. Afflictions are their
schooling, and adversity their best university.
"It is good for me, saith the holy man of God,
that 1 have been afflicted, that I might learn thy
statutes." By his afflictions thereby, he learned
much, and became a good scholar in God's
book, and well seen in his statutes and laws.
He grew to great wisdom and judgment by his
chastisements. All things turned about, in God's
merciful providence, to his everlasting comfort.
For I say again, and again, that all things tend
to the good of God's chosen people. And there-
fore, that estate, which God will have his chil-
dren to be in, is always best for them. Because
he, who can best discern what is best, seeth it to
be best for them: whether be it sickness or
health, poverty or plenty, prison or liberty, pros-
perity or adversity. For sometimes sickness is
better for us than health, and poverty than
plenty. Are therefore the children of God sick ?
it is best for them. Are they poor? it is best
for them. Are they in any trouble? it is best
for them; because their good Father will turn it
to the best. He will oftentimes cut us short of
our lusts and desires; because he seeth we will
bane ourselves with them. He, in fatherly care,
will take the knife from us ; because he seeth we
will hurt ourselves with it. He will keep us
short of health and wealth, because he knoweth
we will be the worse for them. He will not
roB god's feople. 91
give us too much ease and prosperity in this
world; for he knoweth it will poison us. He
wiU not allow us continual rest, like standing
ponds ; for then he knoweth we wUl gather scum
and filth. He dealeth fatherly and mercifully
with us in all things, even then seeking our
greatest good, when we think he doth us most
harm. Ajid, to speak all in a word, he bringeth
us into troubles and straits, to this end especially,
that he may hear of us. For he right well
knoweth our nature ; he is well acquainted with
our disposition. He knoweth we will not come
at him, but when we stand in need of him : we
care not for him so long as all goeth well with
us. But if we come into distress, or want any
thing that we would fain have, then he is sure to
hear of us. As he saith by the prophet, " In
their affliction, they will seek me early," Hosea
V. 15. And another prophet saith, "Lord, in
trouble have they visited thee. They poured
out a prayer, when thy chastisement was upon
them," Isa. xxvi. 16. So then now, I hope,
you do plainly see the cause why the Lord
bringeth his children into so many troubles and
necessities.
Phil. I do see it indeed; and I am very well
satisfied in it. But let me ask you one thing
further. Are God's children always sure to be
delivered out of their troubles ?
Theol. Yes, verily; and, out of doubt, so far
forth, as God seeth it good for them. For it is
written, "Great are the trouble of the righteous;
but the Lord delivereth them out of all," Psalm
xxxiv. 19. St. Peter saith, 2 Epis. ii. 9, " The
Lord knoweth how to deUver the godly out of
temptation." As if he should say, he is beaten
92 SUBE DELIYEBANCE
in it, and well seen and experienced in it: so as lie
can do it easily, and without any trouble at all.
It is said of Joseph, being in prison, Psalm cv.
19, 20, that, "When his appointed time was
come, and the counsel of the Lord had tried him,
the king sent and loosed him, the ruler of the people
delivered him ; " and again the scripture saith,
"The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth them,
and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them
that fear him, and delivereth them," Psalm xxxiv.
7, 17. And, in another place, the Lord himself
saith, concerning the righteous man. Psalm
xci. 14, 15, "Because he hath loved me, there-
fore I will deliver him. I will exalt him, Isecause
he hath known my name. He shall call upon me
in trouble, and I will hear him; I will be with
him in trouble; I will deliver him, and glorify
him." So also saith Eliphaz the Temanite, Job
V. 19, " He shall deliver thee in six troubles ; and in
the seventh, the evil shall not touch thee." "Come
my people, saith the Lord, enter thou into thy
chambers, and shut thy doors after thee; hide
thyself for a very little while, until the indigna-
tion pass over," Isa. xxvi. 20, And the prophet
saith, Obad. 17, "Upon Mount Zion shall be de-
liverance, and it shall be holy; and the house of
Jacob shall possess their hereditary possessions."
Almost innumerable places of the scriptm'es might
be alleged, to this purpose ; but these may suffice.
Therefore let us know for a certainty, that so
sure as trouble and affliction are to the children
of God, so sure also is deliverance out of the same.
As we may write of the one, and make reckoning
of it as sure as the coat of our back: so may we
also, in God's good time, write of the other, and
FOE gob's people. 93
make full account of it, as sure as the Lord is true.
Abraham was in trouble, but delivered. Job in
trouble, but delivered. David in great troubles,
but delivered. The three children in the furnace,
but delivered. Daniel in the lion's den, but de-
livered. Jonah in the whale's belly, but delivered.
Paul in innumerable troubles, but delivered out
of an.
Phil. All this being true, that you say, it fol-
loweth that God's children are chastised only for
their good, and evermore sure of deliverance in
his appointed time. Which thing being so, me-
thinketh there is no cause at all why they should
be over heavy, or too much cast down in their
afflictions.
Theol. Assuredly there is no cause at all ; but
rather cause why they should rejoice, clap their
hands, and sing care away. For can a father for-
sake his children? a king his subjects? a master
his servants? or a shepherd his sheep? Doth
not Jehovah say, " I will not leave thee nor forsake
thee?" Heb. xiii. 5. Doth not our heavenly
Father know, we have need of these things?
Hath not God given us his word, that we shall
not want outward things. Hath he not said,
they shall be cast upon us? Why then should
we be dismayed? Why should we hang down
our heads? Why do we not pluck up our hearts,
and be of good cheer? God is our dear Father;
he is our best friend: he is our daily bene-
factor: he keepeth us at his own costs and
charges: he grudgeth us nothing: he think eth
nothing too much for us. He loveth us most
dearly: he is most chary and tender over us: he
cannot endure the wind should blow upon us: he
will have us want nothing that is good for us. If
94 SURE DELITEKANOE
we will eat gold, we shall have it. He hath
given us his faithful promise that, as long as we
live, we shall never want. Let us therefore re-
joice and be merry: for heaven is ours, earth is
ours, God is ours, Christ is ours, all is ours:
as the apostle saith, "All is your's, and you are
Christ's, and Christ is God's." The world clap
their hands, and crow long before it be day, say-
ing, all is theirs: but the children of God may
say, and say truly, all is ours. For they have a
true title and proper interest, through Christ, in
all the creatures. Many are their privileges;
great are their prerogatives. They are free of
of heaven, and free of earth. They are the only
free denizens of the world, Christ hath pur-
chased for them their freedom. Christ hath
made them free, and therefore they are free in-
deed. They are free from sin, free from hell, free
from damnation. They are at peace with God,
men, and angels. They are peace with them-
selves. They are at peace with all creatures.
They are young princes, angels' fellows, descended
of the highest house, of the blood royal of heaven,
states of paradise, and heirs apparent to the im-
mortal crown. Therefore God hath commanded
his angels to guard them, being such young
princes as they are: yea, he hath given a very
straight charge to all his creatures, to look to
them, to see to them, that they want nothing,
that they take no hurt; so zealous, so chary, so
tender is he of them. The angels must comfort
Jacob. The whale must rescue Jonah. The
ravens must feed Elias. The sun and moon
must stay for Joshua. The sea must divide
itself, that Moses and his people may pass
through. The fire must not burn the three
FOR god's people. 95
children. The lions may not devour Daniel. All
the creatures must change their nature, rather
than God's children should not be holpen and de-
livered. Oh, therefore, how great is the happiness
of God's chosen! Who can express it? who can
utter it? They know not their own happiness:
it is hid from them. Afflictions do cloud it,
troubles do overshadow it, crosses do dim it; and
there is an interposition of the earth, between
their sight and it. But this is most certain and
sure, that the best is behind with the children of
God: all the sweet is to come. Their happiness
doth not appear in this world, "Their life is hid
with Christ in God. When Christ shall ap-
pear, then shall they also appear, with him in
glory," Col. iii. 3, 4. "It doth not yet appear,
what they shall be: but when he cometh, they
shall be made like unto him," 1 John iii. 2. Their
names are already taken, and entered into the book
of life: and one day, they shall be crowned. One
day it shall be said unto them, "Come ye bless-
ed," &c. One day they shall enjoy "his pres-
ence, where is fulness of joy; and at whose
right hand, there is pleasure for evermore," Psalm
xvi. Therefore let all God's secret ones rejoice,
sing and be merry. For howsoever in this world
they be contemned, trodden under the foot, made
nobodies, and walk as shadows; being counted
as the very rags of the earth, and the abjects of
the world: yet the time will come, when their
happiness and fehcity shall be such, as never en-
tered into the heart of man: it is endless, unspeak-
able, and inconceivable.
Phil. I do now plainly see, that there is no
cause why God's people should be too heavy and
dumpish in their afflictions. I see, that though
96 SUEE DELIYEKANCE
they be not free from all afflictions, yet they are
free from all hurtful afflictions. For no rod, no
cross, no chastisement is hurtful unto them: hut
all, in the conclusion, cometh to a blessed issue.
Theol. You have uttered a great, and a most
certain truth. For there is no affliction or trial,
which God imposeth upon his children, but if
they endure it quieth% trust in his mercy firmly,
and tarry his good pleasure obediently, it hath a
blessed and comfortable end. Therefore the peo-
ple of God may well be merry in the midst of
their sorrows. They may, with patience and
comfort, submit themselves to their Father's cor-
rections ; taking them patiently, and even kissing
his holy rod, and saying in themselves, since my
Father will have it so, I am content ; seeing it is
his mind, I am willing withal. As old Eli said,
"It is the Lord, let him do what he wiU," 1 Sam.
iii. 1§. And as David, in like submission, said
in a certain case, "Behold, here am I; let him do
to me, as it seemeth good in his own eyes," 2
Sam. XV. 26. And in another place he saith, "I
was dumb, and opened not my mouth: because
thou. Lord, hast done it," Psalm xxxix. 9. Be-
hold, here, then the patience of God's saints, and
their humble submission unto his most holy will.
They know all shall end well; and that maketh
them glad to think of it. — I conclude then, that
the children of God are happy, in what state so-
ever they are: happy in trouble, happy out of
trouble, happy in poverty, happy in plenty, bless-
ed in sickness, blessed in health, blessed at home
likewise, and abroad, and every way blessed. But
on the contrary, the wicked are cursed, in what
state soever they are: cursed in sickness, cursed
in health, cursed in plenty, cursed in poverty.
FOE GOD 8 PEOPLE. 97
cursed in prosperity, cursed in adversity, cursed
in honour, cursed in dishonour. For all things
work together for their destruction. Nothing
doth them any good. They are not anything the
better, either for God's mercies or judgments.
All weathers are alike unto them. They are al-
ways the same, in prosperity and adversity: they
are no changeHngs. And, as we say, "a good
year doth not mend them ; nor an ill year pare
them."
CONTEMPT OF THE GOSPEL.
Phil. You have long insisted upon the point
of covetousness'. Now proceed to the fourth sign
of a man's damnation; which is the contempt of
the gospel; and lay open both the greatness of
the sin, and the danger of it.
Theol. This sin is of another nature than the
former. Ifc is a sin against the first table. It
toucheth the person of God himself. For to
contemn the gospel is to contemn God himself;
whose gospel it is. If to contemn the ministers
of the gospel be to contemn God and Christ, as
our Lord Jesus avoucheth, Luke x. 16, how
much more, then, to contemn the gospel itself?
Therefore, it is dangerous meddhng in this sin.
It is to meddle with edged tools, to meddle with
princes' matters — to touch the ark, to come near
the holy mountain : which all were things full of
great peril and danger. Yea, it is to spill the
sacrament. It is noli me tangere.* It is to rail
* A. sin too horiible to be touched.
H
98 CONTEMPT OP THE GOSPEL.
at a king. It is to spit God in the face. It is
high treason against the King of Glory. There-
fore this sin, of all other, can never be endured;
and may, at no hand, be borne withal. For can
a mortal king endure the contempt of his laws ?
can he put up with the contempt of his own
person ? Can he abide any to spit at his sceptre,
or to throw a stone at it ? No, surely, he will
not: therefore, the Holy Ghost saith, "He that
despiseth Moses' laws, dieth without mercy,
under two or three witnesses. Of how much
sorer punish, suppose ye, shall he be worthy
which treadeth under foot the Son of God, and
counteth the blood of the Testament as an
unholy thing (wherewith he was sanctified), and
doth despite unto the Spirit of grace," Heb.
X. 28, 29. And, again, " If they were punished
which obeyed not the word spoken by angels,
how shall we escape if we neglect so great
salvation?" Heb. ii. 2, 3. " If they escaped not
which refused him that spake on earth, how
shall we escape if we turn away from him that
speaketh from heaven?" Heb. xii. 25. Therefore,
our Saviour Christ saith, " That it shall be easier
for Sodom in the day of judgment, than for the
contemners of the gospel," Luke x. 12. More-
over, he saith, "The queen of the south shall
rise up in judgment against all froward despisers
of his word," Matt. xii. 42. For she came from
the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the
wisdom of Solomon; and behold a greater than
Solomon is here." For Christ is greater than
Solomon — his doctrine- and wisdom far more
excellent; and therefore their sin is the greater
which contemn it. They shall never be able to
answer it; for the Spirit saith, "He that
CONTEilPT OF THE GOSPEL. 99
despiseth the word shall be destroyed," Prov.
xiii. 13. St. Peter also telleth us that the old
world, and men of the first age, are now in
hell-fire, because they both despised and were
disobedient to the doctrine of Christ, which —
though not personally, yet in his divine Spirit —
he spake by ISToah," 1 Pet. iii. 19; 2 Pet. ii. 5.
So, then, we see clearly God will never take it at
our hands that his glorious gospel should be so
universally and openly contemned as it is.
Phil. You have spoken most truly, and also
shewed it out of the scriptures, that the contempt
of the gospel is a most heinous sin ; yet for all
that, it is most lamentable to consider how little
men esteem it, and how light they make of it.
Many regard it no more than an egg-shell; they
think it is not worth a gaily* halfpenny; they
will not go to the door to hear it ; they take it
to be but a breath from us, and a sound to them ;
and so the matter is ended. They esteem it but
as a noise, or empty sound, in the air; or as a
voice afar off, which a man understandeth not :
they never felt the power of it in their hearts.
Therefore they prefer their sheep, their farms,
their oxen, their profits, their pleasure, yea,
everything, before it; they know it not to be
any such a precious jewel as it is. Although our
Lord Jesus himself compare it to a hid treasure,
and a most precious pearl ; yet these filthy swine
of the world tread it under foot: for they know
not the price of it, though Solomon the wise
saith, Prov. iii. " All the merchandize of gold and
silver, pearls and precious stones, are not to be
compared imto it;" yet these beasts, these dogs
* A bad or French hal^nny, not passable.
100 CONTEMPT OF THE GOSPEL.
and hogs of tlie world contemn it. They esteem
a cow more than Christ's most glorious gospel.
They are like ^sop's cock, which made more
account of a barley-corn than all the precious
stones in the world ; they are like little children,
that esteem their rattles more than a bag of
gold; they are like the Gadarenes, which esteemed
their hogs more than Christ and his gospel;
they make nothing of it. They think it not
worth the while. Many of them sit idle in the
streets even upon the Sabbaths. While the
gospel is preached in their ch^irches, many are at
cards, and tables, in ale-houses. Many, upon the
Sabbaths, sleep upon their beds, all the sermon
while, in the afternoon. Many will hear a sermon
in the forenoon ; and they take that to be as
much as God can require at their hand, and that
he is somewhat beholden unto them for it; but
as for the afternoon, they will hear none ; then
they will to bowls or tables. These men serve
God in the forenoon, and the devil in the after-
noon; some run after whores and harlots on
the Sabbaths ; some run to dancing and bear-
baitings ; some sit upon their stalls ; some sit
in their shops; some by the fire-side; some sit
idly in the streets ; some go to the stool-ball,
and others look on, 0 miserable wretches ! 0
cursed caitiffs ! 0 monstrous hell-hounds, which
so grossly and openly contemn the gospel of
Christ ! What will become of them in the end ?
Assuredly their damnation sleepeth not. A
thousand deaths wait for them : they lie open
on all sides to the wrath of God. And we may
wonder at his marvellous patience, that he doth
not throw down balls of fire from heaven, to
consume and burn up, both them, their shops,
COITTEMPT OF TnE GOSPEL. 101
and houses, and even make them spectacles of
his vengeance, for so notorious contempt of such
sacred, holy, and high things.
Theol. You have spoken very truly, zealously,
and religiously; and I do greatly commend you
for it. And I must needs affirm the same things.
For they cannot be denied. And for mine own
part, I think the gospel was never so openly
contemned in any age — of a people living under
the profession of it, and under a godly and
Christian prince — as it is in this age. For how-
soever some make a shew of religion, yet thev
have denied the power thereof. " They turn the
the grace of God into wantonness," as St. Jude
saith, ver. 4. They make the gospel a cloak for
their sins. They receive it and embrace it, as it
will best stand with their profits and pleasures,
their lusts and likings, their credit and poUcies,
and not a jot further. They will practise it at
their leisure. " These men profess they know
God; but by their works they deny him, and are
abominable, disobedient, and to every good work
reprobate," Tit. i. 16. This age is full of such
carnal Protestants.
Phil. This age, indeed, aboundeth with many
hollow-hearted hypocrites, dissemblers, and time-
servers; which howsoever they make a face, and
bear a countenance as though they loved the gos-
pel, yet their heart is not with it. Their heart is
with atheism; their heart is with popery. Thev
have a pope in their belly ; they be church pa-
pists. Howsoever, now and then, they come to
the church, and hear a sermon, and shew a good
countenance to the preacher; yet their heart
goeth after covetousness. The Lord complaineth
of this, by his prophet Ezekiel, saying, Ezekiel
102 CONTEMPT OF THE GOSPEL.
xxxiii. 31-32, " This people will sit before thee
and hear thy words; but they will not do them.
For, with their mouths they make jests ; and
their heart goeth after covetousness." God com-
plaineth of this also, by his prophet Jeremiah,
.Ter. vii. 9-11, "Will you steal, murder, and
commit adultery, and swear falsely, and stand
before me in this house, whereupon my name is
called, and say we are delivered, though we have
done all these abominations? Is this house be-
come a den of thieves, whereupon my name is
called? " Where we see how the Lord doth chide
his people, and sharply reprove them for abusing
of his temple, woi'ship, and sacrifices; making
them a cloak for their sins, and making his house
a den of thieves, which should be an assembly of
saints. Now all this is a livel}'^ description of our
time; wherein many use the exercises of the word,
prayer, and sacraments, not to kill and mortify
sin, but to nourish and shelter their sins. For
they blindly imagine, that if they come to the
church and pray, and hear the sermon, they are
discharged of their sins, though they leave them
not. They imagine they have given God his full
due; and that, therefore, they may be the more
bold to sin afterward. These kind of hypocrites
ai'e like rogues, which use medicines, not to cure
sores, but to make sores. These are like the pa-
pists, which think if they hear mass in the morn-
ing, they may do what they list all the day after.
Theol. I see now, you have very well profited
in the knowledge of God, and true religion. You
have spoken soundly, and like a man of know-
ledge in God's matters. For the common sort of
people think indeed, that all religion consisteth
in the outward service of God, though their hearts
CONTEifPT OF TEE GOSPEL. 103
be far from him: to whom God may justly say,
"This people draweth near me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me," Matt. xv. 8.
Of whom also God may justly take up all his just
complaints of his people Israel and Judah ; which
are so frequent in all the prophets: to wit, that
he did abhor their sacrifices, loathe their oblations,
detest their incense, despise their new moons,
disdain their rams, lambs, and goats; accounting
them all but as man's blood, dog's blood, swines
blood; and all, because their hands were full of
blood; because they executed not justice and
judgment in the gate; because they were not
obedient to his wUl; because their hearts were
not with him: because they used or rather
abused all these things, as shelters for their sins,
Isa. Ixvi. 3.
JPhil. The great contempt of the ministers of
the gospel in this age, doth strongly argue the
contempt of the gospel itself. For a man cannot
love the gospel, and hate the faithful ministers
thereof. But we see, by lamentable experience,
that the most grave, go^y, and learned ministers
are had in derision of very base and \i\e persons.
And as Job saith, ch. xxx. 1, "They whose fathers
I have refused to set with the dogs of my flock;"
they were the children of fools, and the children
of villains, which were more vile than the earth,
for now every rascal dares scoff and scorn at the
grave and ancient fathers and pastors of the
church, dares flout them as they walk in the
streets, and as they ride by the highways. And
though the Holy Ghost giveth them glorious
and lofty titles, as the stewards of God's own
house, disposers of his secrets, disbursers of his
treasure, keepers of the broad seal, keepers of
104 CONTEMPT OP THE GOSPEL.
the keys of heaven, Grod's secretaries, God's am-
bassadors, angels; yea, the very glory of Christ,"
Tit. i. 7; 1 Cor. iv. 1 ; Matt. xvi. 19; 2 Cor. v. 20;
Eev. iii. 7; 2 Cor. viii. 23; and all this, to ex-
press the excellency of their calling, yet these
vile varlets and venomous vermin of the earth,
dare call them proud prelates, pild* parsons, pelt-
ingt priests. O monstrous and intolerable im-
piety! Now it is come to pass, that this most
sacred function, which is glorious in the sight of
God, and his angels, and in itself most honourable
is had in greatest contempt of all callings. For
now the earth is full of rank atheists, and mock
gods, which scoff at the gospel, and blare out
their tongues at all religion. These kind of fel-
lows never dissemble for the matter. They make
no shew at all, they are no hypocrites, they hide
not their sins, but declare them openly,like Sodom.
They care not if they never come to the church:
they are too full of it. They live like brute beasts.
They think the scriptures are but fables. They
rail at the ministers and preachers. They make
flat opposition against them, and are notorious
mockers and past-graces.
Theol. Of such the apostle St. Peter foretold
"that in the last days should come mockers, and
such as would live after their own lusts," &c.
2 Pet. iii. 3. — Of such a godly writer, Calvin
saith, Verhum Dei secure contemnitur, promis-
siones inanes esse creduntur, mince pro fabulis
habentur; that is, the word of God is carelessly
contemned, his promises are counted vain, and
• Bald, alluding to the shaven crowns of the Catholic priests.
+ From pelt, a sheep's skin. Shepherds loving to shear or skin their
iiocks, rather than to feed them.
COITTEMPT OF THB GOSPEL. 105
his threatenings fables. Of such the poet smth,
"Heu vivutit hamines, tanquam mors null* sequatur.-
Aut velut infemus fabula tanafcn-et."
"Alas, men live, as they should never die:
Or as though all speech of hell were a stark Ue."
Now is also the time wherein the world swanneth
with papists and atheists; and most men live as
if there were no God. For now religion is hated,
true godliness despised, zeal abhorred, sincerity
scoffed at, uprightness loathed, preachers con-
temned, professors disdained, and almost all good
men had in derision. For now we may justly
complain with the prophet, Tsa. lis. 14, "Judg-
ment is turned backward, and justice standeth far
off. Truth is fallen in the streets, and equity can-
not enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that re-
fiaineth from evil, maketh himself a prey." The
prophet Micah bewaileth the times, saying, Micah
vii. 2, "The good man is perished out of the earth,
and there is none righteous among men. They
aU lie in wait for blood: every man hunteth his
neighbour with a net." The prophet Jeremiah
complaineth of the same evil in his time; namely,
that the people were come to be past shame in
sinning, Jer. viii. 12, "Were they ashamed,
saith he, when they had committed abomination?
Nay, they were not ashamed, neither could they
blush." This is a lively picture, and a very coim-
terpane of our time. For now we have put on
a brow of brass: we are become impudent in sin.
"We cannot blush: we cannot be ashamed. We
are almost past shame, and past grace. 0 Lord,
what will this gear grow to in the end!
Phil. We may justly fear some great judgment
of God to be near us; yea, even to hang over our
106 CONTEMPT OF THE GOSPEL.
heads. For the Lord will never leave the con-
tempt of his gospel and his ministry unpunished.
Theol. You 'have spoken a truth. And we
have heard before how the old world was plagued
for it. And we read how grievously the Jews
were afflicted by the Romans for this sin: as our
Lord Jesus did plainly foretell. We read also,
that after the Lord had broached the gospel him-
self, and spread it abroad by his apostles, con-
quering the world thereby (which thing was
signified by the white horse, his rider, his bow,
and his crown, Rev. vi. 2), and yet shortly after
saw that the same began to be contemned in the
world and made light of; then he did in most
fearful manner plague the earth with wars, blood-
sheddings, tumults, dearth, famine, and pestilence:
which all are signified by the red horse, the black
horse, and the pale horse, which did appear at the
opening of the second, third, and fourth seal. So
likewise undoubtedly, God will severely punish
all injuries, wrongs, and contempts, done to his
faithful ambassadors, as appeareth. Rev. xi. 5;
where it is set down, that if any would hurt the
two witnesses with their two olives, and two can-
dlesticks, (whereby is signified the faithful preach-
ers of the gospel, with all their spiritual treasures
and heavenly light) fire should proceed out of
their mouths, and devour their adversaries. That
is, that the fire of God's wrath should consume
all that had oppressed them, either by mocks,
flouts, railings, slanders, imprisonment, or any
other kind of indignity. Of this we have a plain
example or two in the scripture. First, we read
how fire came down from heaven, and consumed
the contemptuous captain and his fifty, at the
threatening and calling for of Elijah," 2 Kings
CONTEMPT OF THE GOSPEL. . 107
i. 10. Secondly, how two bears came from out of
the forest, and tore in pieces forty-two younkers
which mocked Elisha the prophet of God; calling
him bald-head, bald-pate, 2 Kings ii. 23. So
then, by these examples, it is manifest that how-
soever the Lord may wink at these things for a
time, and make as though he saw them not; yet
the time will come, when he will rain fire and
brimstone upon all the scoffers of his faithful
ministers, and contemners of his gospel. All
this is plainly declared in the first chapter of the
Proverbs: where is shewed how the wisdom of
God, even Jesus Christ the highest wisdom, doth
cry aloud aU abroad in the world, and manifest
himself in the open streets; but yet is contemned
of wicked worldlings and scoffing fools. There-
fore, saith Christ, verse 24-28, "Because I have
called, and ye refused, I have stretched out my
hand, but none would regard: ye have hated
knowledge, and despised all my counsel ; therefore
will I laugh at your destruction, and mock when
your fear cometh upon you hke sudden desolation,
and your destruction hke a whirlwind. Then
shall they call upon me, but I will not answer;
they shall seek me early, but they shall not find
me." Here, then, we see is terrible wrath and
vengeance threatened from heaven, against all
profane contemners of Christ, and his everlasting
gospel, or any of the faithful publishers and pro-
claimers thereof. Behold therefore, ye despisers,
and wonder: consider well what will become of
you in the end. Do not think, that the most
just God will always put it up at your hands, that
ye should so manifestly contemn both his word
and the most zealous preachers and professors
thereof. Xo, no; assure yourselves he will be
108 CONTEMPT OF THE GOSPEL.
even with you at last. He will smite you both
sidelings and overthwart: he will dog you and
pursue you with his judgments, and never leave
following the chase with you till he have de-
stroyed you, and consumed you from off the face
of the earth. For remember, I pray you, what
he saith in Deut. xxxii, "If I whet my glitter-
ing sword, and my hand take hold of judgment, I
will execute vengeance on mine enemies, and I
will reward them that hate me ; I will make mine
arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall eat
the flesh of mine adversaries."
Phil. Truly, sir, you may justly fear, that for
our great contempt for the gospel, and general
coldness both in the possession and practice
thereof, Grod will take it from us, and give it to a
people that will bring forth the fruit thereof.
Theol. We may well fear indeed, lest for our
sins, especially our loathing of the heavenly
manna, the Lord will remove our candlestick,
take away our silver trumpets, let us no more hear
the sweet bells of Aaron, cause all vision to fail, .
and our Sabbaths to cease, and bring upon us
that most grievous and sore famine of not hearing
the word of the Lord, spoken of by Amos the
prophet, viii. 8. Then, shall all our halcyon
days, and golden years, be turned into weeping,
mourning, and lamentation. God, for his infinite
mercy's sake, turn it away from us!
Pliil. Amen, amen; and let us all pray ear-
nestly, night and day, that those fearful judg-
ments may, according to Grod's infinite mercies, be
held back, which our sins do continually cry for;
and that his most glorious gospel may be con-
tinued to us and our posterity, even yet with
greater success.
CONTEMPT or THE GOSPEL. . 109
Asun. Xo doubt, it is a verj great sin to de-
spise the word of God ; and I think there is none
so bad that will do it : for we ought to love
God's word; God forbid else. He that loveth
not God's word, it is a pity he liveth.
Theol. These are but words of course. It is
an easy matter to speak good words: and very
many will say as you say; but both you, and
they, in your practice, do plainly shew that you
make no reckoning of it: you esteem it no more
than a dish-clout. I think, if the matter were
well tried, you have scarce a bible in your house.
But though you have one, it is manifest that you
seldom read therein, with any care or conscience;
and as seldom hear the word preached. How
else could you be so ignorant as you are?
Asun. I grant that I and some others are
somewhat negligent in the hearing and reading
of the word of God; but you cannot say there-
fore we do contemn it.
Theol. Yes, verily. Your continual negligence,
and carelessness, doth argue a plain contempt.
Sure it is, you have no appetite nor stomach to
the holy word of God. You had rath^* do any
thing, than either read or meditate in it. It is
irksome unto you. Y'ou read not two chapters
in a week. All holy exercises of religion are
most bitter and tedious unto you. They are
as vinegar to your teeth, and smoke in your
eyes. The immoderate love of this world, and
of vanity, hath, taken away your appetite from
all heavenly things. And, whereas you shift it
off with negligence, as though that would excuse
you, the apostle hits you home when he saith,"How
shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation? "
Heb. ii. 3. Mark that he saith, "if we neglect."
110 CONTEMPT OF THE GOSPEL.
Antil. Belike you think men have nothing else
to do but read the scriptures, and hear sermons?
Theol. I do not say so. I do not say ye should
do nothing else. For Grod doth allow you, with
a good conscience, and in his fear, to follow the
works of your calling: as hath been said before.
But this I condemn in you, and many others,
that you will give no time to private prayers,
reading, and meditation in God's word; neither
morning nor evening, neither before your busi-
ness nor after. And, although you have often
vacant time enough, yet you will rather bestow
it in vanity, and idle prattling, and gossipping,
than in any good exercise of religion. Which
doth plainly shew, that you neither delight in
holy things ; neither is there any true fear of God
before your eyes.
Antil. I tell you plainly, we must attend our
business; we may go beg else; we cannot live by
the scriptures. If we follow sermons we shall
never thrive. What, do you think every man is
bound to read the scriptures ? Have we not our
five wits? Do we not know what we have to
do? You would make fools of us belike. But
we are neither drunk nor mad.
Theol. That every man, of what condition
soever, is bound in conscience to hear and read
the word of God, hath been shewed, and proved
in the beginning of our conference. But as for
your five wits, they will not serve your turn in
these matters ; though you had fifteen wits. For
all the wit, reason, and understanding of natural
men, in God's matters, is but blindness, and
mere foolishness. The apostle saith, " That the
wisdom of the most wise in this world, is not
only foolishness with God; but indeed very en-
CONTEMPT OF THE 6K)SPEI. Ill
mity against God," 1 Cor. iii. 19; Eom, viii. 7.
And again, he saith, that "The natural man (with
all his five wits.) understandeth not the things of
the Spirit of God; because they are spiritually
discerned," 1 Cor, ii. 14. Most prudently to this
point speaketh EUhu, saying, " There is a spirit
ia man; but the inspiration of the Almighty
giveth understanding," Job xxxii. 8.
Antil. I understand not these scriptures which
you do allege; they do not sink into my head.
Tkeol. I think so, indeed. For the Holy Ghost
saith, "Wisdom is too high for a fool," Prov.
xxiv. 7.
Antil. What, do you call me a fool? I am no
more a fool than yourself.
Theol. I call you not a fool; but tell you what
the scripture saith; which calleth all men, though
otherwise never so wise, polite, and learned, very
fools, till they be truly lightened, and inwardly
sanctified by the Spirit of God; as appeareth,
Titus iii. 3, where the apostle affirmeth that both
Titus and himself, before they received the
illuminating Spirit of God's grace, were very
fools, without wit, and without aU sense in God's
matters.
Phil. I pray you, good Mr. Theologus, let
him alone ; for he will never have done cavilling.
I see he is a notable caviller. Let us therefore
proceed to speak of the fifth sign of condemna-
tion, which is swearing.
SWEARING.
Theol. Swearing may well, indeed, be called a
sign of condemnation. For 1 think it more than
a sign ; it is indeed an evident demonstration of
a reprobate. For I never wist any man, truly
fearing Grod in his heart, that was an usual and a
common swearer.
Fhil. I am flat of your mind for that. For it
cannot be that the true fear of God, and ordinary
swearing should dwell together in one man, since
swearing is a thing forbidden by flat statute. And
God addeth a sore threat to his law, that "he
will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name
in vain;" but will most sharply and severely
punish that man,
Theol. You say true. And God saith, more-
over, that if we do not fear and dread his glorious
and fearful name Jehovah, he will make our
plagues wonderful. He sayeth also by his pro-
phet, Malachi iii. 5, that he will "be a swift
witness against swearers." The prophet Zecha-
riah saith, v. 3, 4, that the flying book of God's
curse and vengeance shall enter into the house of
the swearer, and he shall be cut off. Therefore
let all swearers take heed and look to themselves
in time; for we see there is a rod in pickle laid up
in store for them.
Phil. These threatenings being so great and
grievous, and that from the God of heaven him-
self, one would think should cause men's hearts
to quake and tremble, and make them afraid to
rap out such oaths as they do ; if they were not
altogether hardened, past feeling, and past grace.
SWEABIK6. 113
Tkeol. True, indeed: but yet we see, bv la-
mentable experience, how men are given over both
to swear, and forswear. For at this day there is
no sin more common amongst us than swearing.
For many there be which cannot speak ten words,
but one shall be an oath. And numbers have got
such a wicked custom of swearing that they can
by no means leave it: no more than a black can
change his skin, or a leopard his spots. For it is
made natural unto them, through custom; and
they have got the habit of it. I do verily think,
if it were high treason to swear, yet some could
not leave swearing. And sure I am, as light as
we make of it, that it is high treason against the
crown of heaven. Tea, it is a sin immediately
against God: even against his own person; and
therefore he hath forbidden it, in the first table
of his law.
Phil. Questionless, this vice of swearing is of
all other sins most rife in this land. For you
shall hear little boys and children in the streets
rap out oaths in most fearful manner. It
would make a man's heart quake to hear them.
We may think, they have sucked them out of
their mother's breasts ; but sure we are, they have
learned them from the evil example of their
parents. And now-a-days we cannot almost talk
with a man, but, in ordinary speech, he will belch
out one oath or another.
Tkeol. I will tell you a strange thing, and
with great grief I speak it : I do verily think
there are sworn in this land an hundred thousand
oaths every day in the year.
Phil. No doubt, sir, you are within compass.
For now almost so many men, so many oaths; ex-
cepting some few in comparison. Nay, I know
I
114 SWEAEING.
divers of mine own experience, which, if they may
be kept in talk, will swear every day in the year
an hundred oaths for their parts.
Theol. Oh, what a lamentable thing is it! We
may well take up the old complaint of the prophet
Jeremiah, who saith, that in his time, "The land
did mourn because of oaths." And we may well
wonder, that the land sinketh not because of oaths:
For, if God were not a God of infinite patience,
how could he endure his most sacred and glorious
name to be so many thousand times blasphemed
in one day, and, that, by such miserable wretches
as we be?
Phil. We may indeed admire and wonder at
the patience and long-suffering of God, that he
spareth us so long, and giveth us so large a time
of repentance; but sure it is that the prophet
saith, that howsoever "the Lord is slow to anger,
yet he is great in power, and will not clear the
wicked," Nab. i. 3. Though he may wink at
their monstrous oaths for a time, yet he forget-
eth them never a whit, but scoreth them up,
and registereth them in his book of accounts, so
as they stand in record against them ; and,
when the great day of reckoning shall come, he
will set them all in order before them, and lay
them to their charge. Let not wicked swearers
and blasphemers therefore think that they shall
always escape scot-free, because God letteth them
alone for a while, and deferreth their punishment.
For the longer God deferreth, the more terrible
will his strokes be when they come. The longer
an arrow is held in the bow, the stronger will be
the shot when it cometh forth. Though God have
leaden feet, and cometh slowly to execute wrath,
yet hath he an iron hand, and will strike deadly
sw£A.Bn<rG. 115
when he cometh. " Though God giveth the
wicked security for a time (saith Job, xxiv, 23)
yet his eyes are fixed upoa all their ways."
And in another place he saith, xxi. 30, " The
wicked is reserved unto the day of destruction,
and they shall be brought forth unto the day of
wrath." So then the holy man, Job, plainly
afiirmeth, that the state and condition of all the
rich and wealthy worldlings is, as the condition of
an ox that is fatted up against the day of slaugh-
ter; for, in the same chapter, he saith, ver. 13,
" They spend their days in wealth, and suddenly
go down to hell." But now I pray you no-
minate the oaths which are so rife and conmion
amongst us.
Theol. There be six oaths, which are, of all
other, most rife and common in every man's
mouth; and they be these: — by my faith— by
my troth — by our Lady — by St. Mary — by God
— as God shdl judge me. For you cannot lightly
talk with a man, but he will flush out some of
these in his ordinary speech.
Asun. Do you count it so great a matter for a
man to swear by his faith or his troth ? *
Theol, Yes, indeed do I; for our faith and our
troth are the most precious jewels we have.
Shall we then lay them to gage, for every word
we speak? It sheweth we are of small credit;
nay, very bankrupts. For who but a bankrupt
will lay the best jewel in his house to pledge for
every small trifle?
Asun. I know a man that will never swear
but by cock, or pie, or mouse-foot.f 1 hope you
* Truth.
+ Beliques of the superstition of the dark ages, when birds and
herbs were often thought sacred to some saint. See Matt. v. 34-3".
116 SWEABING.
will not say they be oaths; for he is as honest
a man as ever brake bread. You shall not hear
an oath come out of his mouth.
Theol. I do not think he is so honest a man
as you make him; for it is no small sin to swear
by creatures. The Lord saith by his prophet,
Jeremiah v. 7, "They have forsaken me, and
sworn by them that are no gods." So then, to
swear by creatures, is to forsake God; and I
trow you will not say he is an honest man which
forsaketh God.
Asun. I do not believe that to swear by small
things is a forsaking of God.
Theol. You, and such as you are, will believe
no more of the word of God than will stand with
your fancy. But whatsoever you believe, or be-
lieve not, the word of God standeth sure; and no
jot of it shall ever be proved false. But this I
will say unto you, because you think it so small
a matter to swear by creatures, that the more
base and vile the thing is which you swear by,
the greater is the oath; because you ascribe that
unto a base creature, which is only proper to
God: namely, to know our hearts, and to be a
discerner of secret things. For whatsoever a
man svveareth by, he calleth it as a witness unto
his conscience that he speaketh the truth, and
lieth not; which thing only belongeth unto
God. And, theiefore, in swearing by crea-
tures, we do rob God of his honour. There-
fore, to swear by the cross of the money, or
by bread, or a mouse-foot, or the fire which
they call God's angel, or any such like, is a rob-
bing of God of his honour, and an ascribing of
that to the creature which is proper only to the
Creator.
SWEA.BING. 117
Asun. What say you then to them which
swear hy the mass* and by the roodpf
Theol. Their sin is as great as the other; for
it is an heinous thing to swear hy idols: as St.
Mary, our Lady, by the mass, by the rood, &c.
The prophet Amos saith, viii. 14, "They that
swear by the sin of Samaria, and that say, thy
God, O Dan, liveth; even they shall fall, and
never rise up again." To swear by the sin of
Samaria is to swear by idols; for Samaria was
full of idols. Moreover, the Lord threateneth by
the prophet Zephaniah, i, 5, that he "will cut off
them that swear by the Lord, and by Malchom,"
or by their king. For the idolators called their
idol Moloch, their king.
Asun. Seeing you condemn both swearing by
creatures, and swearing by idols, what then must
we swear by^ ? You would have us swear by no-
thing belike.
Theol. In our ordinary communication we
must not swear at all, either by one thing or ano-
ther; but, as our Lord teacheth us, "our com-
munications must be yea, yea; nay, nay. For
whatsoever is more than these, cometh of evil,"
Matt. V. 37. And St. James saith, v. 12, " Be-
fore all things, my brethren, swear not: neither
by heaven, nor by earth, nor by any other oath;
but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay ; least
you fall into condemnation."
Antil. It seemeth you are an anabaptist. You
condemn all swearing; vou will have no swearing
at all.
Theol. Not SO; for though I condemn swear-
ing by creatures, swearing by idols, and all other
* The chief ordinance of the Romish worship,
f The image of Christ oo the cross.
118 SWEAEINQ.
swearing, yet do I allow swearing before a ma-
gistrate, and privately also, in matters of weight
and importance, for the further bolting out of the
truth. This is warranted from God's own mouth,
where he saith, "Thou shalt swear, the Lord
living, in truth, in judgment, and in righteous-
ness," Jer. iv. 2. And in these cases only, the
name of God is to be sworn by ; as it is written,
Deut. X. 20, "Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God,
and thou shalt serve him, and shalt cleave unto
him, and shalt swear by his name."
Asun. May we not swear by God in our com-
mon talk?
Theol. At no hand; for that is to take the
name of God in vain, which you know is for-
bidden. And one of the wise heathens could say
thus, "When an oath is laid upon thee, under-
take it for two causes; either to deliver thyself
from some grievous crime and accusation, or else
to preserve thy friends from danger." So then,
that heathen man in common talk will not allow
any oath, much less to swear by God. Another
saith, "Avoid an oath, though thou swear truly."
So then we see vain swearing condemned even by
heathens.
Asun. Yea, but for all that we must swear;
men will not believe us else.
Theol. Neither yet will they believe you any
whit the more for your swearing. For it doth
manifestly appear, that thousands make no con-
science at all of it. They make no more con-
science of it than of cracking nuts; and there-
fore what wise man will believe them, though
they swear never so much? But if you would
make conscience always to speak the truth, from
your heart, vvdthout any oaths at all, you should
SWEABEfG. 110
be better believed of all honest and wise men,
than otherwise with a thousand oaths.
Antil. It is the custom to swear.
Theol. But a wicked and devilish custom.
Antil. I hope, sir, we may swear as long as we
swear truly, and swear by nothing but that
which is good.
Theol. It hath been answered before, that in
vain matters you may not swear at all.
Antil. As long as we do no worse than that, I
hope God will hold us excused.
Theol. God will not hold you excused when
you break his commandments, and continue so
doing.
Antil. What say you then, to them, that
swear wounds and blood,* and such like, in a
bravery, thinking that it setteth out their speech
very well?
Theol. Hell gapeth for them. And they shall
know one day what it is to blaspheme God.
Antil. What may we think of such as swear
by God's life, God's soul, God's body, God's
heart?
Theol. That their cause is most woful and dan-
gerous : and I quake at the naming of them. They
are most horrible, monstrous, and outrageous bias*
phemies : enough to make the stones in the street
to crack, and the clouds to fall upon our heads.
And we may think, that all the devils in hell are
in a readiness to carry such blasphemous villains
headlong into that late which burneth with fire
and brimstone for ever.
Antil. Do you find in the scriptvires that God
will so severely punish swearers ?
* That is, by duist's wounds and bkod.
120 SWEARING.
Tkeol. Yes, verily. For Lesides that which
hath bcbn spoken before, we have divers other
examples: first, of Senacherib, the king of Ashur,*
who, for his outrageous blasphemies against the
God of heaven, was in most fearful and tragical
manner slain by his own sons, Adramelech and
Sharezer, 2 Kings xix. 35 ; and that in the temple,
when he was worshipping his idol god, Nisroch.
And yet, behold a more fearful example of God's
wrath, against blasphemers, in 1 Kings xx. 29, 30,
where we read that an hundred thousand of the
Aramitest were slain by the Israelites, in one day,
for blaspheming of God ; and seven and twenty
thousand being left, and flying into the city of
Aphek for refuge, were all slain, by the fall of an
huge great wall. What should I here speak how
the seven sons of Saul, the king of Israel, were
hanged up before the Lord in Mount Gibeah, for
the breach of the oath made to the Gibeonites
long before? 2 Sam. xxi. In these examples we
may plainly see that the just God, even in this
life, sometimes will be revenged of blasphemers,
and oath - breakers ; and, therefore, the very
heathen in all ages have been very careful for the
performing of oaths; as Pharaoh, king of Egypt,
willed Joseph to go up into the land of Canaan,
to bury his father, according to his oath made to
his father.
Phil. Methinketh these so terrible and fearful
examples of God's vengeance, against swearers
and blasphemers, should strike some terror into
the hearts of our blasphemers.
Theol. One would think so indeed, if any thing
could do it. But, alas! they are so hardened in it,
* Assyria. + Syrians.
LYING. 121
and in all other sin, that nothing can move them ;
except, peradventure, there were a law made that
every swearer and blasphemer should hold his
hand a quarter of an hour in boiling lead. This,
or some such Hke severe law, might peradventure
curb them a httle, and make them bite in their
oaths. But otherwise, they will never fear any
•thing till they be in hell-fire, when it will be too
late to repent.
Phil. What may be the cause of this so often
and great swearing? for surely it is no inherent
and inbred sin in our nature, as some of the other
sins be.
Theol. No, verily. But these three I judge to
be the cause of it: custom, want of admonition,
want of punishment.
Phil. What then are the remedies for it?
Theol. The remedies are these : disuse, prayer,
friendly admonition, some sharp law.
LYING.
Phil. Well, sir, we have heard enough of swear-
ing, I pray you proceed to the next sign of damnar
tion, which is lying.
Theol. Swearing and lying be of very near
kindred; for he that is a common swearer is for
the most part a common liar ako. For he that
maketh no conscience of swearing, will make no
conscience of lying. And as the Lord hateth the
one, so also he hateth the other. And as he
punisheth the one, so he will punish the other.
Therefore Solomon saith, " Lying lips are an
122 LYING.
abomination unto the Lord," Prov. xii. 22. St.
John saith, "Without shall he dogs, enchanters,
whoremongers, murderers, and whosoever loveth
or maketh lies," Rev. xxii. 15. Again, the same
holy man of God saith, "That liars shall have
their part and portion in the lake which burneth
with fire and brimstone: which is the second
death," Rev. xxi. 8.
Phil. These scriptures, which you allege, do
manifestly declare that Grod abhorreth liars, and
hath reserved great torments for them. There-
for, the princely prophet David saith that he
would banish all liars out of his house. "He that
telleth lies (saith he) shall not remain in my
sight," Psalm ci. 7. A lying tongue is one of
the six things which God doth hate and his soul
abhor, Prov. vi. 17. Yet for all this we see the
lamentable experience, how many have even
taught their tongues to lie, (as the prophet saith,
Jer. ix.) and there is no truth in their lips. This
vice is almost as common as swearing. For it is
hard to find a man that will speak the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth from his
heart, in simplicity and plainness, at all times, in
all places, and amongst all persons, without all
glossing or dissembling, either for fear, gain, flat-
tery, men-pleasing, hiding of faults, or any sinister
respect whatsoever. Where, I say, is this man
to be found? I would fain see him. I would
fain look upon such a man. It would do my
heart good to behold him. I would rejoice to set
mine eyes upon such a man.
Theol. Such a man as you speak of is hardly
to be found among the sons of men. They be
black swans in the earth; they be white crows;
they be rare birds. For there be very few that
LTIWG. 123
will speak the truth from their heart: yet some
such I hope there he. But, for the most part,
and amongst the greater sort, lying, dissembling,
and fraud, do bear all the sway. There is no
truth, no honesty, no conscience, no simplicity,
no plain dealing, amongst men in these most cor-
rupt times. Faith and trtith are parted clean
away. And as the kingly prophet saith, "The
faithful are failed from among the children of men.
They speak deceitfully every one with his neigh-
bour; flattering with their lips, and speak with a
double heart," Psalm xii. Men now-a-days study
the art of lying, flattering, fawning, glossing, and
dissembling: they have a heart and a heart.*
They have honey in their mouth, and gaU in their
heart. Their tongues are as soft as butter and
oil; but their hearts are full of bitterness, poison,
and wormwood. They are full of outward cour-
tesy and civility, full of court holy water, when
there is no truth nor plainness in their inward
afiection. They will speak you fair when they
would cut your throats. They wiU shew you a
good countenance, when they would eat your
heart with g^rhc. In outward show, they will
carry themselves plausibly, when their hearts are
full of venom and malice. This viperous brood
do but watch their times and opportimities till
they can get a man upon the hip; and then they
will sting him, and work their malice upon him.
These fawning curs will not bark till they bite.
They will lurk and lie close till they spy their
vantage, and then they will shew themselves in
their kind: then they will hoist a man, and turn
* A. Hebrew speech for a deceitM heart. See the margin of oar
Kbles.
124 LYING.
him over the perk* if they can. These men are
like the waters, which are most deep, when they
are most calm; like a dangerous rock, hid under-
a calm sea; or, as the heathen say, "like the
Syren's song, which is the sailor's wreck;" like
the fowler's whistle, which is the hird's death;
like the hid bait, which is the fishes' bane; like
the harpies,t which have virgin's faces, and vul-
ture's talons; or like the hyena, which speaketh
like a friend, and devoureth like a foe; or, as the
scripture saith, like Joab, (2 Sam. xx. 10,) the
captain of the host, which spake kindly to Amasa,
another captain, and kissed him, when presently
he stabbed him; or like unto the Herodians, and
Pharisees' servants, which came to our Lord
Jesus with many fawning insinuations, calling
him good master, and telling him that he was the
plain truth, that he taught the way of God truh',
he regarded no man's person, and many " good
morrows," and all this gear, when as, in very deed,
their purpose was to entangle him in his words,
and to entrap him, that they might catch advan-
tage against him, and so cut his throat, and give
him pap with a hatchet.]; This itr is which the
wise man saith, Prov. xxix. 5, " A man that flat-
tereth his neighbour, spreadeth a net for his feet."
And again, "As silver dross, overlaid upon an
earthen pot: so are fawning lips, and an evil
heart." And in another place he saith, "He
that beareth hatred, will counterfeit with his lips:
but he layeth up deceit in his heart. When he
speaks fair, trust him not. For there are seven
abominations in his heart. He will cover hatred
* Probably off the perch, a treacherous and dangerous fall.
+ Fabulous beasts.
J Pretend to feed him tenderly, and knock him on the head.
LTIKG. . 125
by deceit: but his malice shall be discovered in
the congregation," Prov. xxvi. 23-26. In ano-
ther place he pronounceth a curse on all these
hollow-hearted hypocrites, and meally-mouthed
flatterers; for saith he, "unto him that blesseth
his friend, with a loud voice, betimes in the morn-
ing, rising up early, a curse shall be imputed,"
Prov. xxvii. 14.
Phil. You have veiy well described the condi-
tions of the men of this age, which have faces,
countenances, and tongues, but no hearts; which
profess lying and dissembling: which say, he can-
not live that cannot dissemble; which have fair
faces, and false hearts ; which have forgotten that
plain honesty is the best policy.
Theol. The Holy Ghost, often in the Proverl»
rif Solomon, calleth all unregenerate men fools;
ir, as it is in the Hebrew, men without hearts;
' lecause they have no heart to God, no heart to
lis word, no heart to his children, no heart to
godliness, no heart to any thing that is good.
They are without an honest heart, an upright
heart, a plain heart. They are all in words; no-
thing in deeds. They promise mountains, and
perform mole-hills. They \vill speak well of re-
ligion, and practise nothing. They will give fair
words to their friends, and do just nothing for
them.
Phil. The world is full of these masked coun-
terfeits; and lying and dissembling did never
more abound.
Theol. It is too true that lying and dissembling
are most rife, and over-common vices amongst all
sorts of men; but, especially , it doth overflow and
superabound in shopkeepers and servants. For
both these make a trade and occupation of it; they
126 LYING.
can do no other but lie. It cleaveth unto them
as the nail to the door.
Phil. I do certainly know some shopkeepers
which (to utter their bad wares, and to blind the
eyes of the simple) do trade in lying, all the day
long, from sun to sun; from the opening of the
shop and windows, to the shutting of the same.
And what is their life, if customers come in apace,
but swearing, lying, dissembling, and deceiving?
They will lie as fast as a dog will trot, as we say.
It is a wonder, that their shops and all their wares
do not fire over their heads, for their so common,
so lewd, and so abominable lying ; and that against
their own knowledge, against their conscience,
against God, against their neighbour, against
heaven and earth, men and angels.
Theol. True it is, we may marvel at the long-
suffering of God in this behalf. But this is to be
noted, that God doth not immediately punish all
notorious sinners in this life; but reserveth thou-
sands to the judgment of the great day. In this
life he only culleth out some few, whom he smiteth
for the example of others, that they might fear
and tremble, and learn by other men's harms to
beware. Therefore, even in this life, we see before
our eyes, some liars, some drunkards, some whore-
mongers, some swearers, some misers of the world,
some ruffians, and cut-throats, striken down by
the revenging hand of God. But whereas God
smiteth one of these, in this life he letteth an
hundred escape. For if he should punish all
offenders in this life, to what purpose should the
judgment to come serve? If he should punish
none, then we should think there were no God, or
that he were shut up idle in heaven, and would
do neither good nor evil, nor once meddle in the
LTixa, 127
matters of the earth, as some epicures have dream-
ed. Therefore, to avoid both these extremities,
God in his heavenly wisdom hath thought good
to mete with some even in this world.
Phil. I am of this mind, that the goods which
men get by swearing, lying and deceit, will never
prosper long.
Theol. You are not therein deceived; for God
will blow upon all such kind of evil-gotten goods,
and they shall put it in a bottomless purse, as the
prophet saith, Hag. i. 6. The Holy Ghost, in the
Book of Proverbs, hath many excellent sayings
to this effect: as chap. xiii. 11, "The riches of
vanity shall be diminished, but he which labour-
eth with the hand shall increase them." Again,
"He that dealeth with a deceitful hand shall be-
come poor: but the hand of the diligent maketh
rich." Prov. x. 4. In another place he saith,
"The deceitful man roasteth not that which he
hath caught in huntmg," Prov. xii. 27. That
is, he shall not long enjoy or taste the prey which
he hath gotten by fraud ; for either one trouble
or other will come upon him, that he shall not be
able to possess, or take delight in the spoil.
Therefore it is said, '"The bread of deceit is
sweet to a man ; but afterwards his mouth shall
be filled with gravel," Prov. xx. 17. That is, in
the end the crafty person shall meet with many
troubles; for either his conscience will upbraid
him and check him, or vengeance will plague
him for his deceit. The fears, cares, and sorrows,
which he shall have, shall be as it were so many
sharp stones, to set his teeth on edge, and to vex
him. Wherefore, instead of meat, he shall feed
on gravel; and instead of wheat, on pebble-
stones. Small pleasure is taken in the end in
128 tTING.
goods ill-gotten, or livings unlawfully come by.
For the Holy Ghost hath passed sentence upon
theni that they shall never prosper.
Phil. It sometimes falleth out that they pros-
per for a time; but as we say, the third heir shall
never enjoy them. For God will curse them in
our posterity; and our children's children shall
feel the smart of our sins. Therefore, the holy
man Job saith, xxviii. 14, " The offspring of the
wicked shall not be satisfied with bread." For out
of doubt, God will bless that only which is got
with a good conscience in the works of our call-
ing; and it shall remain blessed to us and our
posterity. Therefore, the Spirit saith, "The just
man that walketh in his uprightness is blessed,
and blessed shall his children be after him,"
Prov. XX. 7. But God will not bless, but curse
that which is got with an evil conscience; as
swearing, lying, dissembling, deceiving, &c.
TTieol. Some ancient writers have spoken very
prudently to this point; for one saith, (Jerom.)
" Injusta lucra breves hahent voluptates : longos
autem dolores." That is, unjust gain hath long
sorrow and short joy. Another saith, (August.)
'^Eligas damnum, potiiis quam turpe lucrum illud:
enim semel tantum te dolere afficiet; hoc verb
semper.'''' That is, choose loss rather than filthy
lucre. For the one will grieve thee but once;
the other, for ever. A third saith, (Bernard.)
" Melius est honeste pauperem esse, quam turpiter
divitem. Hoc enim commiserationem, illud verb
reprehensionemadfert.'" It is better to be honestly
poor, than wickedly rich. For the one moveth
pity, the other reproof. One of the wise heathen
also saith, "We may not wax rich unjustly;" but
live of just things; which he calleth hoi}' things.
LTEKG. 129
Phil. Have we not examples in the scriptures
of such as have been punished for lying?
Theol. Yes. For we read how the Gibeonites,
for their lying and dissembling, were made drudges
and slaves to the Israelites. Josh. is. 23. Gehazi,
also, the servant of Elisha the prophet, for his
lying and covetousness together, was smitten with
a most grievous leprosy, 2 Kings, v. Ananias
and Sapphira his wife, for their lying and dissem-
bhng, were stricken down stark dead, by the im-
mediate hand of God, at the rebuke of Peter, Acts
V. 5, Zophar, one of Job's friends, speaking of
these kind of men, saith, "They shaU suck the
gall of asps, and the viper's tongue shall slay
them. They shall flee from the iron weapons,
and a bow of steel shall strike them through,"
Job XX. 16, 24. Xow then, by all these examples,
we may plainly see how greatly God abhorreth
lying and dissembling.
Phil. Oh, therefore, that we could follow the
counsel of the apostle, who saith. Col. iii. 9, "Lie
not one to another: seeing that ye have put off
the old man, with his works." And again, Eph.
iv. 25, "Cast away lying, and speak every one the
truth to his neighbour." The manner of speech
which the apostle useth is very forcible, implying
this much, that we should in a kind of disdain
or detestation, cast it away, and throw it from us,
as a filthy, stinking and bewrayed clout, hanging
about a man's neck; which he doth suddenly
snatch away, and hurleth into the fire, as being
ashamed that ever it should be seen or known.
Would to God, therefore, that we were come to
such a detestation and loathing of lying, that we
would even spattle at it, and cry fie upon it, and
all that use it ! Oh that we could hate it as the
130 ITIKG.
devil, which is the father of it; and as hell-fire,
which is the reward of it! Oh that we were come
but so far as the heathen man who saith, (Homer,
Iliad iii.) "I hate him as the gates of hell who
hath one thing in his tongue, and another in his
heart!"
Antil. Yet for all this we find in the scrip-
tures that even some of the godly have been
taken tardy in lying, and yet have not sinned in
so doing; as Abraham, Jacob, Kahab, the mid-
wives of Egypt; and, therefore, why may we not
do so too ?
Theol. I told you before that you may not
make the infirmities of God's people rules for you
to live by; and further, I answer that all these
did offend in their lying. Some of them, indeed,
I grant, are commended for their love to the
church, and charitable affections to God's people,
but none of them simply for lying; which is a
thing condemned even of the heathen; for saith
one of them, " Lying doth corrupt the life of
many;" and every wise and godly man doth hate
lying.
Antil. But may we not live now and then for
advantage ?
Theol. No, verily: neither is there any good
advantage to be got that way; for when you have
made up your accounts, all charges deducted, and
all expenses defrayed, your clear gains will be
very small. For by your wilful and customary
lying you gain inward grief, and lose true joy;
you gain short pleasure, and lose perpetual glory;
you gain hell, and lose heaven; you make the
devil your friend, and God your enemy. Now
then, reckon your gain.
Phil. I pray you, let us grow towards a con-
DBUITKEinirESS. 131
elusion of this point, and show us briefly the
chief causes of lying.
Theol. The chief causes of lying are these :
custom, fear, covetousness, the devil.
Phil. What be the remedies ?
Theol. The remedies be these: disuse, godly
boldness, contentment, earnest prayer.
DRUNKENNESS.
Phil. You have spoken enough of the vice of
lying to cause aU such to abhor it and forsake it,
as have any drop of grace, or spark of God's fear
in them ; but as for them that are filthy, let them
be more filthy. Now, I pray you, speak your
judgment of the seventh sign of condemnation,
which is drunkenness.
Theol. It is so brutish and beastly a sin that a
man would think it should not need to be spoken
against; but that all reasonable men should even
abhor it, and quake to think of it ; for it is a
most swinish thing: it maketh of a man a beast ;
it taketh away the heart of man from all good-
ness, as witnesseth the prophet Hosea, iv. 11,
"Whoredom, wine, and new wine, take away
their heart." For what heart, what stomach,
what appetite can whoremongers and drunkards
have to any thing that is good? either to hear or
read the word of God, or to pray or to meditate
in the same? Alas! they are far from it; far from
God ; and far from all grace and goodness. There-
fore the prophet Joel saith, i. 5, "Awake ye
drunkards; weep and howl ye drinkers of wine."
132 BRUKKENNESS.
Yea, the mighty Grod of heaven doth pronounce
a woe against them, saying, Isa. v. 11, " Woe
unto them that rise up early to follow drunkenness ;
and to them that continue until night, till the
wine do inflame them." Our Lord Jesus himself
giveth us a caveat to take heed of it, Luke xxi.
34, " Take heed, saith he, that your hearts he
not overcome with surfeiting and drunkenness,
and the cares of this life ; and so that day come
upon you unawares." Thus you hear how hoth
Christ himself, and sundry of the prophets, do
thunder down from heaven against this gross
beastliness which now aboundeth and reigneth
amongst the sons of men.
PJiil. True indeed; but yet nothing will make
men leave it, for it is a most rife and over-com-
mon vice. We see many that think themselves
somebodies, and as we say no small fools, which
yet will be overtaken with it; and thereby lose
all their credit and reputation with all wise men :
yea, do prove themselves to be but swine and
brute beasts, as the Holy Ghost avoucheth, say-
ing, "Wine is a mocker, and strong drink is
raging; whosoever is deceived therein is not
wise," Prov. xx. 1.
Theol. The wise king, in the same book, doth
most notably and fully describe unto us the in-
conveniences and mischiefs which do accom-
pany drunkenness, and follow drunkards at the
heels, "To whom is woe? to whom is sorrow?
to whom is strife? to whom is babbling? to whom
are wounds without cause? to whom is the red-
ness of the eyes ? Even to them that tarry long
at the wine: to them that go and seek out mixed
wine," Prov. xxiii. 29. In the same chapter he
saith, ver. 20, 21, " Be not of the number of
DBUKKBirSTESS. 133
them which are bibbers of wine, nor of them
which glut themselves with flesh; for the drinker
and the feaster shall become poor: and the sleeper
shall be clothed with rags." Moreover he saith,
ver. 33, "Their eyes shall behold strange women :"
and that "they shall be like him that lieth in the
midst of the sea, and sleepeth on the top of the
mast." In all these speeches, the Holy Ghost
doth, in most Hvely manner, describe imto us the
properties of drunkards; even their staggering,
their reeling, their snorting, their senseless sensu-
ality. Behold, then, what be the cursed fruits
and events of drunkenness, even these which
follow: woe, alas! grief, misery, beggary, poverty,
shame, lusts, strife, babbling, brawling, fighting,
quarrelling, surfeiting, sickness, diseases, swinish
sleeping, security, and sensuality. So then, I
conclude that drunkenness is a vice more beseem-
ing a hog than any reasonable man; and, as one
saith, "It is the metropolitan city of all the pro-
vince of vices." Well, therefore, saith the
heathen writer (Demosthenes), "When the wine
is in, a man is as a running coach without a
coachman."
Phil. Let us hear what executions have been
done upon drunkards in former ages, that now
men may learn to take heed by their examples.
Theol. Ammon, one of David's ungracious
children, being drunk, was slain by his brother
Absalom. Benhadad, king of Syria, being drunk,
was discomfitted by Ahab, king of Israel. Elah,
king of Israel, being drunk, was slain by
Zimri his servant, and captain of his chariots;
who also succeeded him in the kingdom. Lot,
being drunk, committed incest with his own
daughters; and therefore was punished in his
134 DRUNKENNESS.
posterity. Thus we see, what executions have
been done, even upon kings, for this kind of sin.
Therefore, let man learn, once at last, to shun
vice, and embrace virtue; and as the apostle saith,
to make an end of their salvation in fear and
trembling. For all our shifts and starting holes
will serve us to no purpose in the end: but when
we have fisked* hither and thither, never so much,
yet at the last we must be fain to be shut up in
God's wrath.
Antil. What I pray you, do you make it so
great a matter if a man be a little overtaken with
drink, now and then? There is no man but he
hath his faults : and the best of us all may be
amended. If neighbours meet together, now and
then, at the ale-house, and play a game at maw,
for a pot of ale, meaning no hurt, I take it to be
good fellowship, and a good means to increase
love amongst neighbours, and not so heinous a
thing as you make it.
Tkeol. I see you would fain make fair weather
of it, and smooth over the matter with sweet
words, as though there were no such great evil
in it ; but howsoever you mince it, and blanch
it over, yet the apostle saith flatly, "That drunk-
ards shall not inherit the kingdom of God,"
1 Cor. vi. 10. I think this one sentence is enough
to amaze and strike through the hearts of all
drunkards in the world: for it is as much in effect,
as if the apostle had said, all drunkards are noto-
rious reprobates, and hell-hounds branded of
Satan, and devoted to perpetual destruction and
damnation ; but you say you mean no hurt. I
answer, whatsoever you mean, yoiu' actions are
* Run about carelessly, here and there.
DEXnTEElTNlBSS. 135
naught, and your fellowship as had ; for what
good meaning can yon have? or what good fel-
lowship call you it, for poor labouring men, arti-
ficers, and such like, to sit idly aU the day long in
taverns and ale-houses, mis-spending their time
and their money in gaming, rioting, swearing,
staring, swiUing, embezzling, bibbing, brawling,
and brabbling? There is no true fellowship in it :
it is mere impiety ; if we may call it impiety, for
poor men to five idly, dissolutely, neglecting their
callings, while their poor wives and children sit
crying at home for bread, being ready to starve,
to beg, or to steal. I pray you speak your con-
science, what good fellowship is there in this?
Antil. Yet, for all that, there be some which
abstain from ale-houses, and yet are as bad as any
other; for they will backbite and slander their
neighbours: they will do them a shrewd turn as
soon as any other: they are envious, they censure
los, and disdain our company: yet we think our-
selves as good as they, for all their shews of
holiness.
Theol. You speak more than you know, or can
justify, against some better than yourself; but, if
it were so, you should but justify one sin by ano-
ther— a lesser by a greater; which is to no pur-
pose.
Antil. Wm you then condemn all good fel-
lowship?
Theol. No, no; I do greatly allow godly and
Christian fellowship; and acknowledge it to be
one of the chiefest comforts we have in the world.
I know we are commanded to love brotherly fel-
lowship; but as for your pot-companionslup, I
hate it, and abhor it; for it is written, " He
that foUoweth the idle shall he filled with pover-
136 IDLEITBSS.
ty." And again, " He that keepeth company
with banqueters shameth his father." And in
another place, "He that loveth pastime shall be
a poor man: and he that loveth wine and oil
shall not be rich."
Phil. Grood Mr. Theologus, talk no more with
him: but let us draw near unto the wind-up of
this matter; and tell us, in a word, which be the
chief causes of drunkenness.
Theol. The causes are these: ill company, ale-
houses, idleness, a wicked humour.
Phil. Which be the true remedies?
Theol. The remedies are these: avoiding of ill
company, shunning of ale-houses, labour in our
callings, a good course of life,
Phil. Well sir, you have waded far enough in
this point: let us now come to the eighth sign of
condemnation, which is idleness.
IDLENESS.
Theol. Concerning idleness, this I say briefly,
that it is the mother of all vice, and the stepdame
of all virtue: yea, it is the very beldame* of all
enormities: it is the mother of whoredom, the
mother of pride, the mother of theft, the mother
of drunkenness, the mother of ignorance, the
mother of error, the mother of poverty, the mother
of slandering and backbiting, prattlingand gossip-
ping, brawling, scolding, quarreling, and what
not? Idleness was one of the principle sins of
* Chief mother.
IDLENESS. 137
Sodom, as the prophet Ezekiel testifieth, xvi. 49,
" Pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idle-
ness was in her, and in her daughters." Solomon
is very plentiful in this matter; for, saith he,
"The sluggard lusteth and hath not," Prov.
xiii. 4. And again, "The sluggard is wiser in his
own conceit, than seven men that can give a
sensible reason," xxvi. 16. That is, he taketh
himself the wisest of many, because he spareth
his body, when others take pains, he saith, "Yet
a little sleep, yet a little slumber, yet a folding of
the hands: and his poverty cometh like a traveller
(that is unawares), and his necessity like- an
armed man" (that is strongly). Then he foldeth
his hands together, and eateth his own flesh,
Eccles. iv. 5. For, he hidethhishandin his bosom :
and it wearieth him to put it to his mouth again,
Prov. xxvi. 15. In another place the Holy Ghost
Sjuth, "The slothful man wiQnot plough, because
of winter: therefore he shall beg in summer, and
have nothing," xx. 4. Again, "The slothful man
is brother to him that is a great waster," xviii. 9.
Moreover, it is said, that "The sluggard tttmeth
himself upon his bed, as the door doth upon the
hinges," xxvi. 14; that is, he keepeth his bed, as
if he were fastened to it. And, because the spirit
will abound in this point, it is further written of
the slothful man that he saith, v. 13, "An huge
lion is in the way: I shall be slain in the streets."
That is, when any good matter is in hand, as
preaching, praying, reading, giving to the poor,
&c. then he draweth back, he shrinketh into the
shell, he fmdeth one let* or other, one excuse or
other. Then profit and pleasure, business and
* Hindrance.
138 IDLENESS.
idleness, matters at home and matters abroad,
company, and a thousand occasions will He in his
way, as so many lions, to let and hinder him. So
then, we see how lively and plentifully the holy
scriptures do paint out the lazy lubbers of this
world, and sons of idleness, which are as hardly
drawn to any good thing as a bear to the stake.
As for the duties of religion, they go as lively and
as cheerful about them as a thief goeth up the
ladder, to be executed for his theft.
Phil. I do plainly see that this sin of idleness
is a very gross evil, and the root of many vices:
yet, for all that, there be a great number which
think they were born to live idly, as many young
gentlemen, and such like, which imagine they
came into the world for no other purpose but to
hunt and hawk, card and dice, riot and revel,
and to spend their days in pleasure and vanity.
Again, there be many lazy lozels,* and luskishf
youths, both in towns and villages, which do
nothing all the day long but walk in the streets,
sit upon the stalls, and frequent taverns and ale-
houses. Many rich citizens, especially women,
do ordinarily lie in bed till nine of the o'clock,
and then, forsooth, rise and make themselves
ready to go to dinner ; and, after they have well
dined, they spend the rest of the day, and a good
part of the night also, in playing, prattling,
babbling, cackling, prating, and gossipping. Fie
of this idle life! Many profane serving men also
do falsely suppose that they were born only to
game, riot, swear, whore, ruffle it, and roist it
out, and to spend their time in mere idleness.
But of all these, well said the heathen philosopher
* Idle lubbers, or clowns. t Lazy.
LDLEITEBS. . 139
(Aristotle), " HU pariter indignamtur et dis et
homines qukquU otiossus" — both Grod and man
do hate the idle person.
Theol. It is a lamentable thing to see so many
men and women live so idly and so unprofitably
as they do. For, alas! there be too many which
foUow no honest calling, hve to no use, nobody
is the better for them. They do no good, neither
to the church or commonwealth. They are like
drone bees : they are unprofitable burthens of the
earth. God hath no use of them; the church no
good, the commonwealth no benefit, their neigh-
bours no profit, the poor no relief. They imagine
they came iato the world to do nothing but eat
and drink, and sleep, and rise up to play. They
think they shovdd spend their time in dicing and
dancing, in whoredom and bravery, in gluttony
and belly -cheer; in masting themselves, like hogs
of Epicurus* herd; in pampering their paunches,
and cramming their bellies ; in fatting themselves
like boars in a frank,t till they be well brawned ;
and, as Job saith, till their bones nm fiill of
marrow, their faces strout with fatness, and they
have collops in their flank. Oh, what a beastly
life is this ! Fie upon it'; fie upon it. It is more
meet for epicures than Christians ; for swine,
than for men ; for Sardanapalvis,J and Helioga-
balus,§ and such like beUy-gods, than for the
professors of the gospel. But of all such. Job
saith enough, " They spend their days in plea-
sure, and suddenly go down to hell."
Phil, But may it not be allowed unto lords
* An ancient philosopher, who taught that ease and pleasure were
the chief good,
t A swine stye.
X A luxurious king of ABSjria, burned to death in his palace.
S A gluttonous Boman Empczor.
140 IDLENESS.
and ladies, gentlemen and gentlewomen, and
other great ones, to live idly, since they have
wherewithal to maintain it.
Theol. God doth allow none to live idly, but
all, great and small, are to be employed one way
or other, either for the benefit of the church or
commonwealth, or for the good government of
their own households, or for the good of towns
and parishes, and those amongst whom they do
converse, or for the succour and relief of the
poor, or for the furtherance of the gospel, and
the maintaining of the ministry, or for one good
use or other. To these ends, our wits, our learn-
ing, our reading, our skill, our policy, our wealth,
our health, our wisdom, and authority, are to be
referred; knowing this, that one day, we shall
come to give an account of our bail-wick,* and
to be reckoned with, for the employment of our
talents. For this cause, Job saith, v. 7, " That
man is born to travail as the sparks fly upward."
And Grod hath laid this upon Adam, and all his
posterity, "In the sweat of thy brow, thou shalt
eat thy bread." Some do set down four causes,
why every man should labour diligently in his
calling: — First, to bear the yoke laid upon all
mankind; by the Lord; secondly, to get the
necessaries of this life ; thirdly, to live unto the
profit of human society ; lastly, to avoid evil
thoughts and actions. St. Paul findeth great
fault with some in the church of Thessalonica,^
2. Epis, iii. because they walked inordinately,
that is, idly, and out of lawful calling: and
therefore concluded, that such as would not la-
bour should not eat. So then, we do plainly see
* stewardship.
rOLEKESS. 141
that God alloweth idleness in none. For when
we are idle, as hath been shewed before, we lie
open to the devil and his temptations; and he
getteth within us and prevaileth against us.
While David tarried idlj at home in the begin-
ning of the year, when kings used to go forth to
the battle, he was soon overtaken with those two
foul sins of adultery and man-slaughter. So
long as Sampson warred with the Philistines he
could never be taken or overcome: but after he
gave himself to idleness and pleasure, he not
only committed fornication with the strumpet
Delilah, but also was taken of his enemies, and
his eyes miserably put out. These examples
do shew what a dangerous sin idleness is ; there-
fore, the Holy Ghost sends us to school, to the
little creature, the ant, to learn of her both to
avoid idleness, and also to use wisdom and pru-
dence in our actions, "Go to the ant, O slug-
gard, behold her ways, and be wise: for she
having no guide, task-master, nor ruler, pre-
pareth her meat in the summer, and gathereth
her food in harvest," Prov. vi. 6. And in good
sooth it is wonderful to observe, what infinite pains
and imwearied labour, that silly creature taketh
in summer that she may be well provided for
against winter. Let us, therefore, learn wisdom
from her example; and let us set before our eyes
the looking-glass of all creatures. Let us con-
sider how the birds fly, the fishes swim, the
worms creep, the heavens turn, the element-s
move, the sea ebbeth and floweth incessantly:
yea, the earth itself, which is the most heavy and
unwieldy creature of all other, yet never ceaseth
his working, bringing forth his burden in sum-
mer, and laboming inwardly all the winter, in
142 IDLENESS.
concocting and digesting his nourishment for the
next spring. Thus we see how all creatures are
diligently and painfully exercised in their kinds ;
and therefore it is a great shame for us to live
idly, carelessly, and dissolutely. Let us there-
fore learn, once at last, to fly sloth, and every
one to live faithfully, diligently, and industriously
in our several callings. So shall ,we both keep
Satan at the staves' end, and also much sin out
of our souls which, otherwise, idleness will force
in upon us.
Phil. I must needs confess that idleness is a
gross vice in whomsoever it is found. But spe-
cially, in my judgment, it is most odious in
magistrates and ministers.
Theol. That is so in truth; for they ought
to be the guides, governors, shepherds, and
watchmen over the people of God. And there-
fore, for them to neglect their duties and charges
is a most horrible thing, since it concerneth the
hurt of many. Therefore, well saith the heathen
poet (Homer, Iliad ii.), " A magistrate or a
minister may not be lazy and slothful, to whom
the nursing of the people is given in charge, and
of whom many things are to be cared for," What
a lamentable thing, therefore, is it when magis-
trates are profane, irreligious, popish, vicious,
and negligent in the duties of their calling?
And how much more lamentable is it when
ministers neglect their studies, slack preaching
and prayer, and give up themselves, some to
covetousness, some to pride, some to husbandry,
some to other worldly affairs, and some to spend
their time idly in taverns, ale-houses, gaming,
rioting, and lewd company? Would to God,
therefore, that both these kinds of pubhc persons
IBLEirESS. 143
would cast off idleness and sloth; and with
diligence, faithfulness, care, and conscience, per-
form the duties of their places. For it is an
excellent thing for anv to be a good man in his
place: as a good magistrate that nileth well,
that govemeth wisely, which favoureth good men
and good causes, and defendeth them; which
also setteth himself against bad men and bad
causes, and punisheth them sharply and severely ;
which, moreover, maintaineth virtue, even of
a very love he beareth unto it in his heart;
and punisheth vice of a very zeal and hatred
against it; and not for his credit only, or to
please some, or because he must needs do it, and
can do no less, or for any such sinister respect ;
but even of a love to God, a care of his glory,
a conscience of duty, and a fervent zeal against
sin. So, likewise, it is a notable thing for a
minister to be a good man in his place; to be
studious in the law of God; diligent and pain-
ful in preaching; and that of a love to God, a
zeal of his glory, deep pity and compassion to-
wards the souls of the people, seeking by all
means possible to win them imto God; carrying
himself in all his actions amongst them wisely,
religiously, unblameably, and inoffensively. So
again, it is a worthy thing to be a good rich
man, which doth much good with his riches,
which keepeth a good house, relieveth the poor,
ministereth to the necessity of the saints, and
giveth cheerfully, and with discretion, where
need is. So also, it is a commendable thing to
be a good neighbour, or a good townsman; by
whom a man may live quietly, peaceably, joyfully
and comfortably. And lastly, to be a good poor
man: that is, humble, lowly, dutiful, painful,
144 LDLEITESS.
ready to help, and ready to please. Oh, I say this
is a most excellent and glorious thing, when every
man keepeth his standing, his range, and his
rank; when all men, with care and conscience,
perform the duties of their places ; when the hus-
band does the duty of an husband, and -the wife
of a wife; when the father doth the duty of a
father, and the child of a child; when the master
doth the duty of a master, and the servant of a
servant; when every man setteth God before his
eyes in doing those things which especially be-
long unto him. For herein consisteth the honour
of God, the glory of the prince, the crown of the
church, the fortress of the commonwealth, the
safety of cities, the strength of kingdoms, and the
very preservation of all things.
Antil. You have said well in some things. But
yet I do not see, but that rich men and women
may live idly, since they have enough where-
withal to maintain it ; for may not a man do
with his own what he list ?
Theol. No, verily. For you may not take your
own knife, and cut your own throat with it:
neither may you take your own axe, and kill your
own child with it. Therefore, that reason is
naught. Albeit therefore wealthy men and women
have great plenty of all things, so as they need
not to labour; yet let them be profitably employ-
ed some other way. Let them exercise themselves
in one good thing or other. If they can find
nothing to do, let them give themselves much to
private prayers and reading of the scriptures,
that they maybe able to instruct and exhort others.
Or else let ladies and gentlewomen do as that
good woman Dorcas did: that is, buy cloth, cut
it out, work it, make shirts, shifts, coats, and gar-
OPPRESSIOK. 145
ments, and give them to the poor, when they
have so done. For it is said of Dorcas, that she
was a woman fall of good works and alms-deeds,
which she did. She was a merciful and tender-
hearted woman; she was the poor man's fiiend;
she clothed the poor and naked; she knew it was
a sacrifice acceptable to God. Oh that the wealthy
women of our land would follow the example of
Dorcas! But, alas! these days bring forth few
Dorcasses, Acts ix. 36-39.
Phil. As you have shewed us the causes of
the former evils; so now, I pray you, shew the
causes of this also.
Theol. The causes of idleness are: evil exam-
ples, bad education, hving out of calling.
Phil. Shew us also the remedies.
Theol. The remedies are: good education,
labour in youth, good examples, diligence in a
lawful calhng.
OPPRESSION.
Phil. Ifow, then, let us come to the last sign
of condemnation, which is oppression; and I be-
seech yoii, good sir, speak your mind of it out of
the scriptures.
Theol. It is so infinite a matter that I know
not where to begin, or where to make an end of
it; it is a bottomless sink of most grievous enor-
mities. I shall enter into a labyrinth where I
shall not know how to get out agaia; but since
you are desirous to hear something of it, tliis I
say, that it is a most cruel monster, a bloody vice,
L
146 OPPEESSIOX.
a most ugly and hideous fiend of hell. The
scriptures, in very many places, do cry out upon
it, arraigning it, adjudging it, and condemning it
down to hell. They do also thunder and hghten
upon all those which are stained and corrupted
with this vice, calling them by such names and
giving them such titles as are taken from the
eifects of this sin, and most fit for oppressors ;
as namely, " That they grind the faces of the
poor ; that they pluck off their skin from them,
and their flesh from their bones ; that they eat
them up as they eat bread," Isa. iii. 15 ; Amos
viii. 6 ; Micah iii. 2 ; Psalm xiv. 4. These are
they which strive to devour all, like savage
beasts, and to get the whole earth into their
hands either by hook or by crook, by right or
by wrong, by oppression, fraud, and violence.
These caterpillars and cormorants of the earth
are like unto the whale fish, which swalloweth up
quick other little fishes ; they are like the lion,
that devoureth other beasts ; they are like the
falcon, which seizeth, plumeth, and preyeth upon
other fowls. These greedy wolves devour all,
and swallow up the poor of the land ; therefore,
the prophets of God do thunder out many great
woes against them. First, the prophet Isaiah
saith, V. 8, " Woe unto them that join house to
house, and field to field, till there be no place
for the poor to dwell in ; that they may be placed
by themselves in the midst of the earth." Se-
condly, the prophet Jeremiah saith, xxii. 13,
" Woe unto him that buildeth his house by un-
righteousness, and his chambers without equity,"
&c. Thirdly, the prophet Micah saith, ii. 2,
" Woe unto them that covet fields, and take
them by violence ; and so oppress a mau and his
0PPBE8SI0N. 147
house, even a man and his heritage." Fourthly,
the prophet Habbakuk, ii. 12, crieth out, saying,
" Woe unto him that buildeth a town with blood,
and erecteth a city by iniquity." St. James also
most terribly threateneth these kind of men, say-
ing, V. 1-3, " Go to now, you rich men, weep
and howl for your miseries that shall come upon
you. Your gold and silver is cankered, and the
rust of them shall be a witness against you ;
and shall eat your flesh as it were fire." Lastly;
St. Paul saith flatly, 1 Cor. vi. 10, " That ex-
tortioners shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Thus we see how many fearful woes and threats
are denounced from heaven against these pestilent
cut-throats of the earth.
Phil. And all little enough ; for they are
steeped in their sin, and the stain of it is so
soaked into them, as it will hardly ever be washed
out. True it is, that you said, that these cruel
oppressing blood-suckers are the most pernicious
and pestilent vermin that creepeth upon the
face of the earth ; and yet, I think, there were
never more of them than in these days. For
now the wicked world is full of such as do sun-
dry ways bite, pinch, and nip the poor, as we
see by every day's lamentable experience ; but
you can speak more of it than I ; therefore, I
pray you, lay open the sundry kinds of oppression
used in these days.
Theol. There is oppression by usury, by brib-
ery, by racking of rents, by taking excessive
fines; oppression in bargaining, in letting of
leases, in letting of houses, in letting of grounds,
in binding poor men to unreasonable covenants,
in thrusting poor men out of their houses, in hir-
ing poor men's houses over their heads, in taking
148 OPPRESSION.
of fees ; oppression by lawyers, by church oflBeers,
by engrossers, by forestallers ; oppression of the
church, of the ministry, of the poor; oppression of
widows, oppression of orphans ; and thus we see
how all swarm with oppressions, and nothing but
oppressions, oppressions.*
Fhil, In truth, this is a most cruel and op-
pressing age wherein we live; yea, a very iron age.
It seemeth that the great ones mind nothing else:
they are altogether set upon oppression ; they dote
and dream of it, they find sweet in it, and there-
fore they are mad of it; as Solomon saith, Eccles.
vii. 7, " Oppression maketh a wise man mad."
It seemeth therefore, that this vice is of such mar-
vellous force, that it can bereave men of their
wits, and make men stark mad of getting goods
by hook or by crook, they care not how, nor
from whom ; so they have it. Yet, no doubt,
the wise God hath enacted many good laws for
the suppressing of this evil, and doth threaten the
execution of them in his own person ; and espe-
cially his law doth provide for the safety of the
poor, the fathei'less, the widow, and the stranger.
But you, Mr. Theologus, can repeat the statutes
better than I, because you are a professed divine ;
therefore, I pray you, let us hear them from you.
Theol. In the twenty-second chapter of Exodus,
Grod made this law following : " You shall not
trouble an widow or fatherless child ; if thou
vex or trouble such, and so he call and cry unto
me, I will surely hear his cry. Then shall my
wrath be kindled, and I will kill you with the
swoi'd, and your wives shall be widows, and your
children fatherless," Exodus xxii. Again, he
* The word oppression occurs twenty-three times in the old Editions.
oppBESsioir. 149
saith, Deut. ixiv. 14, 15, " Thou shalt not
oppress an hired servant that is needy and poor,
but thou shalt give him his hire for his day ;
neither shall the sun go down upon it, for he is
poor, and therewith sustaineth his life, lest he
cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto
thee." Moreover, the Lord saith, " Thou shalt
do no injury to a stranger, for ye were strangers
in the land of Egypt." And God himself threat-
eneth that he will be " a swift witness against
those which keep back the hireling's wages, and
vex the widow and the fatherless," Mai. iii. 5.
The apostle saith, "Let no man oppress or defraud
his brother in any matters ; for the Lord is an
avenger of all such things," 1 Thes. iv. 6. So-
lomon also saith, " If in a country thou seest the
oppression of the poor, and the de&auding of
justice and judgment, be not astonished at the
matter, for he that is higher than the highest
regardeth; and there be higher than they,"
Eecles. v. 8. All these holy statutes and laws,
enacted and provided against oppressors, do
plainly shew what care the Lord hath for his
poor, distressed, and desolate people.
Phil. But these oppressing hell-hounds are such
as care for nothing. No law of the Almighty
can bridle them; nothing can fear them ; nothing
C2L\\ restrain them. They have made a covenant
with hell and death. They are frozen in the
dregs; they are past feeling; and, as Job saith,
" These are they that abhor the light, they know
not the ways thereof, neither continue in the paths
thereof.' ' Their hearts are as hard as the adamant.
Nothing can move them ; nothing can work upon
them. There is a great crying out everywhere of
tiie stone in the reins, which indeed is a great
150 OPPEESSIOK,
torment to the body (but their is no complaining
of the stone in the heart; I mean, a stony heart;
which is the sorest disease that possibly can fall
into the soul of man) and yet in these times it
groweth very rife. For men's hearts are as hard
as brass, and as the nether millstone, as the scrip-
ture speakcth. For many, especially of these un-
merciful and oppressing tyrants, say in their
hearts, " God will do neither good nor evil," Zeph,
i. 12. Therefore they put the evil day far from
them, and approach unto the seat of iniquity.
Thej/ are at ease in Zion ; they lie upon beds of
ivory, and stretch themselves upon their beds;
and eat the lambs of the flock, and the calves out
of the stall. They sing to the sound of the viol;
they invent instruments of music, like David.
They drink wine in bowls, and no man is sorry
for the affliction of Joseph" (Amos vi. 3-6); that
is, the troubles of God's people. The prophet
Isaiah, v. 12, also complaineth of these kind of
men, saying, " They regard not the work of the
Lord, neither consider the work of his hands."
And another prophet saith, " They say in their
hearts God hath forgotten; he hideth away his
face, and will never see. They are so proud, that
they seek not for God. They think always, there
is no God; his judgments are far out of their
sight. Their ways always prosper; and therefore
they say in their hearts, tush, we shall never be
moved, nor come in danger."
Theol. You have spoken very well, touching
the steeliness and hardness of these men's hearts,
who are so unmerciful to their poor neighbom'S,
that almost none can live by them. They do so
disturb and disquiet all things, that poor men can
dwell in no rest by them. Therefore truly saith
OPPEESSIOIf. 151
the wise king, " A mighty man molesteth all,
and both hireth the fool, and hireth those that
pass by." But the poor man speaketh with
prayers; that is, by the way of entreaty and sup-
plications. For the poor are afraid of them.
They quake when they see them; as the beasts
quake at the roaring of the Hon. Many poor
farmers, poor husbandmen, poor herdsmen, poor
labourers, poor widows, and hirelings, do quake
and tremble, when these greedy wolves come
abroad. And, as Job speaketh, xsiv. 4, "The
poor of the earth hide themselves together." For ,
alas! in their hearts they cannot abide the sight
of them; they had as leave meet the devil as
meet them, for fear of one displeasure or another.
For either they fear that they will warn them
out of their houses, or parley about more rent and
and straighter covenants, or beg away their best
kine, or borrow their horses, or command their
carts, or require a week's work of them, and never
pay them for it, or a twelve months! pasture for
a couple of geldings, or that they will make one
quarrel or another unto them, or one mischief or
another. So that these poor souls cannot tell
what to do, nor which way to turn them, for fear
of these cruel termagants. They are even weary
of their lives ; for they have no remedy for these
things, but even to bear it off with head and
shoulders. Therefore, they often wish they were
out of the world, and that they were buried quick .
They say, if any will knock them on the head,
they will forgive him. Oh most piteous case ! Oh
lamentable hearing! These poor silly creatures
are fain to drudge and moil sill the year long, in
winter and summer, in frost and snow, in heat and
cold, to provide their rents that they may be able
152 OPPEESSIOlf.
to pay their cruel landlord at his day : for else,
how shall they be able to look him in the face?
Yet, their rent is so racked, that all that they can
do, is little enough to pay it. And when that is
paid, alas ! the poor man, and his wife, and his
children, have little left to take to, or to maintain
themselves withal; they are fain to gnaw of a
crust, to fare hardly, and to go thinly clad.
Sometimes they have victuals, and sometimes
none. The poor children cry for bread. Poor
widows, also, and poor fatherless children, are
found weeping and mourning in their houses, and
in their streets. So that now we may with
Solomon, "Turn and consider all the oppressions
that are wrought under the sun," Eccles. iv. 1,
We may behold the tears of the oppressed, and
none comforteth them. For the mighty ones do
wrong the weaker; even as the stronger beasts
do push and harm the feebler. These griping
oppressors do pinch the poor even to the quick.
They pluck away from the fatherless and widows
that little which they have. If there be but a
cow, or a few sheep left, they will have them.
If there be a little commodity of house or land,
oh what devices they have to wind it in, and to
wring it away! These tyrants will go as nigh
as the bed thej lie upon. Tliey know well enough
the poor men are not able to wage law with them:
and therefore they may do what wrong they will,
and shew what cruelty they list. Hence cometh
the tears of the oppressed; hence cometh the
weeping and wailing of the poor. But, alas ! poor
souls, they may well weep to ease their hearts a
Uttle; but there is none to comfort them: remedy
they can have none. But yet assuredly the ever-
lasting God doth look upon them, and wiU be re-
OPPBE38IOK. 153
venged. For the cries of the poor, the fatherless,
and the widows, have entered into the ears of the
Lord of Hosts, who is an avenger of all such
things, yea, a strong revenger, as Solomon saith,
"Enter not into the field of the fatherless; for
their revenger is strong. He himself will plead
their cause against thee," Prov. xxiii. 10, 11.
And again he saith, "Eob not the poor, because
he is poor ; neither tread down the afilicted in the
gate : for the Lord pleadeth their cause, and will
spoil their soul that spoil them," Prov. xxii. 22.
We see then, that the most just God will be re-
venged on these immerciful tyrants. He will
not always put up these wrongs and injuries done
to the poor. In the eighth chapter of the prophet
Amos, he sweareth by the excellency of Jacob,
that he will never forget any of their works.
And again, he saith, by his prophet Jeremiah,
"Shall I not be avenged on such a nation as this? "
Surely he will set his face against them, to root
them out of the earth. For indeed they are not
worthy to crawl upon the face of the earth, or to
draw breath amongst the sons of men. It is
written in the book of Psalms, xxi. 12, that God
will set their fellows opposite against him, as a
butt to shoot at — that he will put them apart —
and the strings of his bow shall he make ready
against their faces. Be astonished at this, 0 ye
heavens; and tremble, 0 thou earth. Hear this,
O ye cruel landlords, unmerciful oppressors, and
blood-suckers of the earth. You may well be
called blood-suckers: for you suck the blood of
many poor men, women, and children : you eat it,
you drink it, you have it served in at your simap-
tuous tables every day, you swallow it up, and
live by it ; and, as Job saith, xxiv. 5, "The wil-
154 OPPRESSION.
demess giveth you and your children food;" that
is, you live by robbing and murdering. But woe,
woe! unto you that ever you were born. For the
blood of the oppressed, which you have eaten
and drnnken, shall one day cry for speedy ven-
geance against you; as the blood of Abel cried
against Cain. Their blood shall witness against
you in the day of judgment; and the tears of
many poor starved children, orphans, and wi-
dows shall cry out against you. Was the Lord
revenged of Ahab, for his cruel and unjust deal-
ing with poor Naboth, and shall he not be re-
venged of you ? Did the dogs lap the blood of
Ahab, and shall you escape? No, no; you
shall not escape. "The Lord will be a swift wit-
ness against you:" as he saith in Malachi. Was
the Lord angry with the rich of his people, for
oppressing the poor (so as the cry of the people
and of their wives, against their oppressors, was
heard of the Almighty) and do you think, you
shall escape scot-free ? Doth not the like cause
bring forth the like effect ? the like sin, the like
punishment? Know therefore for a certainty,
that the Lord hath coffers full of vengeance
against you, and one day he will unlock them,
and bring them forth in the sight of all men.
Know also, that the timber of your houses, and
the stones of your walls, which you have built
by oppression and blood, shall cry against you in
the day of the Lord's wrath, as the prophet
Habakkuk, ii. 11, telleth you, " The stone (saith
he) shall cry out of the wall; and the beam out
of the timber shall answer it." Where the pro-
phet telleth you, that the walls of your houses
built in blood shall cry out loud and shrill, and
play the choristers in that behalf; so as they shall
OPPKESSIOX. 155
answer one another on either side. The one side
singeth, behold blood: the other, behold miu-der.
The one side behold deceit: the other, behold
cruelty. The one behold piling and poling: the
other, behold covetousness. The one, behold
robbery: the other, behold penury. And thus
you see how the stones and timber of your houses
shall descant upon you. And howsoever you put
on your brazen brows, and harden yoiu* hearts
against these threatenings of the most terrible
God and Lord of Hosts; yet one day, you shall
(spite of your hearts) will ye, niU ye, be brought
forth unto judgment; you shall once come to
your reckoning, you shall at last be apprehended,
convented, and arraigned at the bar of God's
tribunal-seat before the great Judge of all the
world. Then sentence shall pass against you;
even that most dreadful sentence, " Go ye cursed
into hell-fire, there to be tormented with the devil
and his angels for ever." Oh then, woe, woe unto
you! "For what shall it profit a man to win the
whole world, and lose his own soul?" saith our
Lord Jesus. Surely even as much, as if one
should win a farthing, and lose an hundred thou-
sand pounds: For, if he shall be cast into hell-
fire, which hath not given of his own goods
righteously gotten, as our Saviour avoucheth;
where then shall he be cast that hath stolen other
men's goods? And if he shall be damned that
hath not clothed the naked, what shall become
of him that hath made naked them that were
clothed? Oh, therefore, repent in time, O ye
cruel oppressors; seek the Lord whilst he may be
found; call upon him while he is near; lay aside
yoxur savage cruelty; visit the fatherless and widow
in their distress; deal your bread to the hungry;
156 OPPBESSIOH.
help them to their right which suffer wrong; deal
mercifully with your tenants ; rack not your rents
any more: pinch not the poor souls, for whom
Christ died ; pity them 1 say, but pinch them not ;
deal kindly and friendly with them; remember
your great accounts; consider the shortness of
your days, and the vanity of your life: rend your
hearts, and not your clothes. Turn unto the Lord
with all your heart, with weeping, fasting, and
mourning: prevent God's wrath with a sacrifice
of tears ; pacify his anger with the calves of your
lips and with a contrite spirit ; be grieved for
that which is past, and amend that which is to
come. Stand it out no more at the sword's point
against God; for it will not boot you to strive:
he is too strong for you. Your only wisdom is to
come in. Come in, therefore, come in ye rebel-
lious generation; submit yourselves to the great
King, humble yourselves under his mighty hand ;
cast down your swords and targets; yield unto
your God. So shall you escape the vengeance to
come; so shall God accept you, have mercy upon
you, receive you to favour, grant you a general
pardon for all your rebellions, and admit you into
the number of his faithful and loyal subjects,
Pliil. I do conceive, by divers speeches which
you have alleged, that goods gotten by oppression
and cruelty, will never prosper long. For oppres-
sors coin their money upon their neighbour's skins.
How then can it be blessed?
Theol. You have spoken a truth. For, as it
hath been shewed before, that those goods which
are gotten by swearing and lying are cursed: so
all these that are gotten by oppression and
violence are more cursed. Therefore the Lord
saith by his prophet Jeremiah, xvii. 11, " As the
OPPBESSIOJf. 157
partridge gathereth the young which she hath not
brought forth, so he that gathereth riches, and
not bj right, shall leave them in the midst of his
days: and at his end shall be a fool, and his name
shall be written in the earth."
Phil. Would to God our magistrates and
governors would take speedy order for the remedy-
ing of these things; and for the redressing of such
grievous enormities as are amongst us; or that
they themselves would step in, and deliver the
oppressed from the hand of the oppressor.
Theol. Job was an excellent man for such
matters. For it is saiS of him, xxix. 17, " That
he brake the jaws of the unrighteous man, and
plucked the prey out of his teeth ; " where we
see, how Job was the means to deliver the innocent,
and to pull the lamb out of the lion's claws.
Moreover, it is written of him in the same chapter,
that " The blessing of him that was ready to perish
came upon him, and that he caused the widow's
heart to rejoice: that he was eyes to the blind,
feet to the lame, and the father to the poor; and
when he knew not the cause, he sought it out
diligently." Oh, what a notable man was this!
Oh, that we had many Jobs in these days! Wise
Solomon doth most gravely advise us aU to follow
Job's example in this behalf. " Deliver (saith he)
them that are oppressed and drawn to death.
For shouldest thou withdraw thyself from them
which go down to the slaughter r" Prov. xxiv. 11,
12. Would to God that this holy coimsel were
well weighed and practised amongst us!
Phil. I marvel much, with what face these
cruel oppressors can come before God in his
holy temple, to pray, and offer up their sacri-
fices unto him. For we see, many of them
158 OPPEESSIOlf.
though they have such foul hands and foul
hearts, as we have heard ; yet for all that, will
most impudently presume to come to the Church
and pray ; or at least, when they are laid in their
beds at nights, and half asleep, then will they
tumble over their prayers, or be pattering some
paternosters.*
TJieol. Alas, alas! poor souls; all that they
do in matters of God's worship is but hypocrisy,
and dissimulation ; for in truth, they care not for
God, they love him but from the teeth outward ;
their mouths are with him, but their heart goeth
after eovetousness, and their hands are full of
blood. And therefore God doth both abhor them
and their prayers ; for he saith, " Though they
stretch out their hands, yet will I hide mine eyes
from them; and though they make many prayers,
yet will I not hear them. For their hands are
full of blood," Isa. i. 15. Moreover the Holy
Ghost saith, " He thatturneth away his ear from
hearing the law, even his prayer is abominable,"
Prov. xxviii. 9. David saith, " If I regard wick-
edness in my heart, God will not hear my prayer,"
Psalm Ixvi. 18. It is also affirmed, John ix. 31,
that, " God heareth not sinners:" that is, stub-
born and careless sinners. So then, we may
clearly see, by all these testimonies of holy writ,
what account God maketh of the prayers of
oppressors, and all other profane and ungodly
men; namely, that he doth hate them, and abhor
them, as most loathsome and odious in his sight.
Phil. Now in conclusion, shew us the causes
of oppression.
Theol. The causes are these: cruelty, covet-
* " Our Father," a name for the Lord's Prayer.
Sn? HUETETH MEN'S BODIES. 159
ousness, hard-heartedness, an evil conscience, the
devil.
Thil. Let us hear ako the remedies.
Theol. The remedies are these: pity, con-
tentment, tender affections, a good conscience,
much prayer.
THE DREADFUL EFFECTS OF Sm ON
INDIVIDUALS AND UPON NATIONS.
Phil. Now, sir, as you have at large uttered
your mind, concerning these gross corruptions of
the world, and have plainly and evidently proved
them to be the deadly poison of the soul, so also,
I pray you, satisfy us in this, whether they be
not hurtful also to the body, goods, and name.
Theol. I have dwelt the longer in these com-
mon vices of the world, because almost all sorts
of men are stained with one or other of them;
and therefore they can never be enough spoken
against. " For the whole world lieth in them,"
as St. John testifieth, 1 Epis. v. 19. If men
therefore, could be recovered of these diseases,
no doubt there would be a ready passage made
for the abundance of grace; and we should have
a most flourishing church and commonwealth;
but as long as these do he in the way, there is
small hope of greater mercies and blessings to
be poured upon us; or that ever we shall come
to have an inward conversation with God. For
these vices bhnd our eyes, burden our hearts,
and as the prophet Jeremiah saith, v. 25,
" hinder many things from us." But touching
160 SIN HUETETH MEN,
your petition, I must needs grant, that as these
vices are the very bane of the soul, and most
certain signs of condemnation, so are they very
dangerous to the body, goods, and name ; yea,
and to the whole land, both church and common-
wealth.
Phil. Shew us out of the scriptures what
danger thev bring to the body?
Theol. The Lord our God saith, " That if we
will not obey him nor keep his commandments,
but break his covenant, he will appoint over us
hasty plagues, consumptions, and the burning
ague, to consume the eyes, and to make the
heart heavy," Lev. xxvi. So also he saith,
" That if we will not obey his voice, to observe
all his commandments and ordinances, that then
he will make the pestilence cleave to us, until
he have consumed us ; that he will smite us with
fever, with the botch of Egypt, with the eme-
rods, with the scab, and with the itch, that also
he will smite us with madness, and with bhnd-
ness, and with astonishment of heart," Deut.
xxviii. So then, you see what great evils the
Lord threateneth to inflict upon our bodies in
this life, for these and such like sins. But on the
contrary the Holy Ghost saith, " Fear God, and
depart from evil: so health shall be unto thy
navel, and moisture unto thy bones," Prov. iii.
7, 8.
Phil. What evil do these fore-named sins brmg
upon us in our goods and outward estate?
Theol. They cause God to curse us all in that
we set our hand unto, as plentifully appeareth in
the fore-named chapters, where the Lord saith
thus, " If thou wilt not obey the commandments
of the Lord thy God, cursed shalt thou be in the
GOODS, A.>'D GOOD KAME. 161
town, cursed also in the field, cursed shall be thy
basket and thy store, cursed shall be the fruit of
thy body, and the fruit of thy land, and the in-
crease of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep;
cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and
cursed also when thou goest out. The Lord shall
send upon thee cursing, trouble, and shame, in all
that thou settest thy hand unto; and further he
saith, "That he will break the staff of their
bread; that ten women shall bake their bread in
one oven, and they shall deliver their bread
again by weight; and shall eat and not be satis-
fied." You do, therefore, apparently see that
these sins will draw down G-od's wrath upon us
and all that we have.
Phil. What hurt do these sins to our good
name ?
Theol. They bring reproach, shame, and in-
famy upon us, and cause us to be abhorred and
contemned of all good men; they do utterly blot
out our good name. For as virtue maketh men
honourable and reverend, so iace maketh men vile
and contemptible. This is set down where the
Lord threateneth Israel, that for their sins and
disobedience he will make them a proverb and.
common talk; yea, a reproach and astonishment
amongst all people. In sundry other places of
the prophets, he threateneth for their sins to
make them a reproach, a shame, an hissing, and
nodding of the head to all nations.
Phil. I do verily thus think, that as sin gene-
rally doth stain every man's good name, which
all are chary and tender of, so especially it doth
blot those which are in high places, and of
special note, for learning, wisdom, and godliness.
Theol. You have spoken most truly, and
M
162 SIN IKJUEETH MEN
agreeable to the scriptures ; for the scriptures
saith, "As a dead fly causeth the apothecary's
ointment to stink, so doth a Httle folly him that
is in reputation for wisdom and honour." Whei'e
Solomon sheweth, that if a fly get into the
apothecary's box of ointment, and die, and pu-
trify in it, she marreth it, though it be never so
precious ; even so, if a Httle sin get into the
heart, and break out in the forehead of a man of
great fame for some singular gifts, it will blear
him, though he be never so excellent.
Phil. Shew this, I pray you, more plainly,
Theol. We observe this in all experience, that
if a nobleman be a good man, and have many
excellent parts in him of courtesy, patience,
humility, and love of religion ; yet if he be
covetous, the common people will have their eye
altogether upon that; and they will say, such a
nobleman is a very good man, but for one thing:
he is exceedingly covetous, oppresseth the poor
men, and dealeth hardly with his tenants, keep-
eth no house, doth little good in the country
where he dwelleth ; and this is it that marreth
all. Moreover, let a judge, a justice, or a ma-
gistrate, be endued with excellent gifts of pru-
dence, policy, temperance, liberality, and know-
ledge in the law, yet if they be given to anger,
or taking of bribes, oh, how it will grieve them
amongst the people! for they will say, he is a
worthy man indeed, but there is one thing in
him that marreth all: he is an exceedingly angry
and furious man; he is as angry as a wasp; he
will be in a pelting chafe* for every trifle ; he
will fret and fume if you do but blow upon him;
* A raging passion, so as to puisue and pelt you.
IN THEIE GOOD XA.ME. 1G3
and beside this, he is a very corrupt man : lie
is a great taker of bribes; he loveth well to be
bribed; he will do any thing for bribes. Fur-
thermore, if any preacher be a man of great gifts,
the common people will say of him, oh! he is a
worthy man indeed, an excellent scholar, a pro-
found divine, a singular man in a pulpit ; but
yet for all that he hath a shrewd touch whieii
marreth all; he is an exceedingly proud man; he
is as proud as Lucifer; he hath very great gifts
indeed, but I warrant you he knoweth it well
enough ; for he carrieth his crest very high, and
looketh very sternly and disdainfully upon all
other men. He is unmeasurably puffed up with
overweening,* and thinketh that he toucheth the
clouds with his head. Thus, therefore, we see
how the dead flies mar all, and how some one
sin doth disgrace a man that otherwise doth
excel.
Phil. What is the cause why some one sin
doth so blot and smite the most excellent men?
Theol. The reason hereof is, because such men
are a candle, set upon a candlestick, or rather
upon a scaffold or mountain, for all men to be-
hold and look upon ; and sure it is, they have a
thousand eyes upon them every day ; and that not
only gazing upon them, but also prying very
narrowly into them, to spy out the least mote
that they may make a mountain of it. For, as
in a clean white paper, one little spot is soon es-
pied, but in a piece of brown paper twenty great
blurs scarce discerned ; even so in noblemen,
judges, magistrates, justices, preachers, and pro-
fessors, the least spot or speck is soon seen into ;
* High conceits of himself.
164 SIN lyJURETH NATIOKS
but amongst the baser sort, and most gross livers,
almost nothing is espied or regarded.
Phil. Since the eyes of all men are bent and
ffxed upon men as are of some note, therefore, they
had need very heedfully to look to their steps,
that they may take avray all advantage from them
that secth advantage.
TheoJ. Yes, verily. And furthermore, they
had need to pray with David always, " Direct my
steps, O Lord, in thy word; and let none iniquity
l.ave dominion over me;" and again, "Order my
doings, that my footsteps slip not: uphold me in
mine integrity;" for if such be never so little
given to swearing, to lying, to drink, or to women,
it is espied by and by ; and therewith their credit
is cracked, their fame overcast, their glory eclips-
ed, and the date of their good name presently
expired.
FMl. Now as you have shewed what great
hurt these sins do bring upon our souls, bodies,
goods, and names; so also, I pray you, shew what
danger they do bring upon the whole land.
Theol. Questionless they do pull down the
wrath of God upon us all, and give him just cause
to break all in pieces, and utterly to subvert and
overthrow the good estate both of church and
commonwealth; yea, to make a final consump-
tion and desolation of all; for they be the very
firebrands of God's wrath, and as it were touch-
w^ood, to kindle his anger and indignation upon
us. For the apostle saith, " For such things
Cometh the wrath of God upon the children of
disobedience," Col. ili. 6.
Pliil. Declare unto us, out of the scriptures,
how the Lord in former times hath punished whole
nations and kinsjdoms for these and such like sins.
rJT THEin GOODS AKD >'AME. 165
Theol. In the fourth of Hosea, the Lord t^Ueth
his people, that he hath a controversy with the
inhabitants of the land, and the reason is added,
because there was no truth, nor mercy, nor know-
ledge of God in the land. By swearing, lying,
killing, stealing, and whoring, they break out, and
blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land
mourn ; and every one that dwelleth therein shall
be cut oflf". Here then we see what it is will in-
cense God against us, and cause us all to mourn.
So likewise the Lord threateneth, by his prophet
Amos, viii. 4-8, " That for cruelty and oppression
of the poor, he would plague the whole land.
Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one
mourn that dwelleth therein?" Again, the Lord
saith by his prophet Jeremiah, vii. 19, 20, '"Do
they provoke me to anger, and not themselves, to
the confusion of their own faces? Therefore thus
saith the Lord, behold mine anger and my wrath
shall be poured upon this place, upon man, and
beast, upon the tree of the field, and upon the
fruit of the ground; and it shall bum, and not be
quenched." Again the Lord saith, " If ye will
not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the
Lord, that this house shall be waste, and I will
prepare destroyers against thee, every one with
his weapons, and they shall cut down thy chief
cedar trees, and cast them in the fire." Likewise
the Lord threateneth, by his prophet Ezekiel, v.
7, " Because ye have not walked in my statutes,
nor kept my judgments; therefore behold, I,
even I, come against thee, and will execute judg-
ment in the midst of thee, even in the sight of
nations; and I will do in thee that I never did
before, neither will I do any more the like because
of all thine abominations. For, in the midst of
166 SIN BRINGETH DESOLATOa
thee, the fathers shall eat their sons, and the sons
shall eat then" fathers." Again, by the same
prophet, the Lord saith, vii. 23-27, " The land is
full of the.judgment of blood, and the city full of
cruelty. Wherefore, I will bring the most wicked
of the heathen, and they will possess their houses.
I will also make the pomp of the mighty to cease,
and the holy places shall be defiled. When de-
struction Cometh, they shall seek peace, and not
have it. Calamity shall come upon calamity, and
rumour upon rumour. Then shall they seek a
vision of the prophet, but the law shall perish
from the priests, and counsel from the ancient.
The king shall mourn, and the prince shall be
clothed with desolation, and the hands of the
people in the land shall be troubled. I will do
unto them according to their ways, and according
to their judgments will I judge them ; and they
shall know that I am the Lord." Last of all,
the Lord saith by his prophet, "Hear, 0 earth!
behold, I will cause a plague to come upon this
people, even the fruit of their own imaginations,
because they have not taken heed to my words,
n or to my law ; but cast it off. ' ' Almost innumer-
able places to this purpose are to be found in the
writings of the prophets ; but these may suffice to
prove the main point: to wit, that the just God
doth punish whole nations and kingdoms for the
sins and rebellions thereof.
Phil. Since all these sins (for the which the
Lord did execute such universal punishments upon
his own people) do abound and overflow in this
land, may we not justly fear some great plague
to fall upon us? and the rather, because our
transgressions do increase daily, and grow to a
full height and ripeness; so as it seemeth the
JUDGMENTS UPON NATIONS. 167
harvest of God's vengeance draweth near, and
approacheth.
Theol. We may indeed justly fear and tremble.
For if Grod spared not the angels that sinned, how
shall he spare us? If he spared not his own
people, what can we look for? If he spared not
the natural branches, how shall he spare us which
are wild by nature? Are we better than they?
Can we look to be spared, when they were pun-
ished? Are not our sins as many and as great
as theirs? Doth not the same cause bring forth
the same effect? Is the arm of the Lord short-
ened ? or is not God the same just God, to punish
sin now, that he was then? Yes, yes, assuredly.
And therefore we have great cause to mourn and
lament, to quake and tremble; because there is a
naked sword of vengeance hanging over our heads.
Thus did Jeremiah, iv. 19, thus did Amos, v. 6,
thus did Habakkuk, rii. 16, when they plainly
saw the imminent wrath of God approaching upon
the people of Israel and Judah.
Phil. I think we may the rather doubt and fear
because the punishment of these forenamed vices
is neglected by the magistate. For commonly,
when they that bear the sword of justice, do not
draw it out to punish notorious offenders and
malefactors, the Lord himself will take the mat-
ter into his own hands, and be revenged in his
own person, which is most dreadful and danger-
ous; "for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands
of the living God," Heb. x. 31.
Theol. You have spoken a truth: for if those
which are God's deputies and vicegerents in the
earth, do their duties faithfully in punishiug vice
and maintaining virtue, in smiting the wicked
and favouring the godly, then assuredly evil shall
168 SIN BEINGETH DESOLATING
be taken out of Israel, God's wrath prevented,
and his judgments intei'cepted; as it is written,
Ps. cvi. 30, " Phineas stood up and executed judg-
ment, and the plague was stayed." But if they
(for fear, favour, affection, gain, flattery, bribery,
or any other sinister respect) will be too sparing
and remiss in punishing of gross offenders, and be
rather ready to smite the righteous ; then do they
exceedingly provoke God's wrath against the land,
and against themselves.
Phil. One thing I do greatly lament, that there
be either none at all, or very slender censures,
either by the civil or ecclesiastical authority, for
divers of these forenamed vices: as pride, eove-
tousness, oppression, lying, idleness, swearing, &c.
Theol. It is a thing to be lamented indeed.
For where do we see a proud man punished, a
covetous man punished, an oppressor punished,
a swearer punished, a liar punished, an idle person
punished? Now, because they know they cannot
or shall not be punished, therefore they are alto-
gether hardened, and emboldened in their sins;
as the wise man saith, Eccl. viii. 11, "Because
sentence against an evil work is not executed
speedily, therefore the hearts of the children of
men are fully set in them to do evil."
Phil. One thing I do much muse at, wherein
also I desire to be further satisfied, to wit what is
the cause that under so godly a prince, so many
good laws, and so much good preaching and teach-
ing, there should notwithstanding be such an ex-
cess and overflowing of sin, in all estates.
Theol. The causes hereof are divers and mani-
fold. But I will nominate four especial ones in
my judgment: — The first is man's natural corrup-
tion, which is so strong as almost nothing can
JUDGMENTS UPON NATIONS. 169
bridle it; the second is ill-precedents and exter-
nal provocations to evil ; the third is the want
of teaching in many congregations of the land, by
reason whereof many know not sin to be sin;
the last reason is the corruption and negligence
of some such as are in authority.
Phil. Doth not this inundation and overflow-
ing of sin, with the impunity of the same, prog-
nosticate great wrath against us?
Theol. Yes, undoubtedly, as hath in part been
shewed before. And there be divers other presages
of wrath, though not of the same kind, which are
these: — Unthankfulness for the gospel — the abuse
of our long peace — our general security — our
secret idolatries — our ripeness in all sin — our
abuse of all God's mercies — our abuse of his long
patience — the coldness of professors— our not
profiting by former judgments; as pestilence,
famine, death, and the shaking of the sword.
Phil. This last I take to be a special token of
approaching vengeance, that we have not profited
by former waniings.
Theol. True indeed: for it is an ordinary thing
with God, when men will not profit by mild cor-
rections, and common punishments, then to lay
greater upon them; and when a former trouble
doth us no good, we are to fear a final consuming
trouble. For so we read in the prophecy of
Hosea, v. 12, 14; that at the first, God was to
Ephraim as a moth, and to Judah as rottenness,
but afterwards, when as they profited not by it,
he was to Ephraim as a lion, and to Judah as a
lion's whelp. So the Lord saith, in another place,
that if they will not come in and yield obedience
at the first call of his wrath, then he will punish
them seven times more. Lev. xxvi. 18. But if
170 SIN BEINGETH DESOLATING
they continue in their stubbornness, then he
threateneth to bring seven times more plagues
upon them, according to their sins. If by all
these they would not be reformed, but walk stub-
bornly against him, then he threateneth yet seven
times more for their sins; and the fourth time,
yet seven times more, ver. 21, 24, 28. The proof
hereof we have in the book of the Judges, where
we read, how the people of Israel, for their sins,
were in subjection to the king of Aram, Naharim,
eight years ; afterward, because they profited no-
thing by it, but returned to their old sins, there-
fore they served Eglon, king of Moab, eighteen
years. After that again, for their new sins and
provocations, the Lord gave them up into the
hands of Midian seven years. After all this, for
the renewing of their sins, the Lord sold them
into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammon-
ites, which did grievously vex and oppress them,
for the space of eighteen years. Last of all, we
read that when neither famine nor pestilence
could cause them to return unto him, then he de-
livered them up to the sword of their enemies,
and held them in bondage and captivity three-
score and ten years. After all this, when they
were delivered out of captivity and returned home
safely to their own nation, and enjoyed some good
time of peace and rest, yet at last they fell to re-
newingof their sins,and therefore the Lord plagued
them most grievously by the divided Greek em-
pire, even by Magog, and Egypt, Seleucidae, and
Lagidse,* and that by the space almost of three
hundred years. And this is it that the prophet
Hosea did foretell, iii. 4, "That the children of
* Names of the enemies of Israel. See 1st Maccabees.
JUDGMENTS UPON NATIONS. 171
Israel should remain many days without a king,
and without a prince, without an offering, and
without an image, without an ephod, and without
teraphim."
Phil. You have very largely laid open this last
token of vengeance ; to wit, that God at the first
doth but heat us upon the coat, but if we continue
in sin he will whip us on the bare skin, and if men
will not yield at the first gentle stroke, then he will
strike harder and harder, till he have broken our
stout stomachs and made our great hearts come
down. Therefore it is good yielding at the first,
for we shall get nothing by our sturdiness against
him. We do but cause him to double his strokes,
and strike us both sidehngs and overthwart: for
he cannot endure that we should gruntle* against
him with stubborn suUenness. But now to the
point: since there are so many presages and fore-
signs of God's wTath, I pray you show what it
is that stayeth the execution and very downfall
of the same.
Theol. The prayers and tears of the faithful
are the special mean that stay the hand of God
from striking of us ; for the prayers of the right-
eous are of great force with him, even able
to do all things. St. James saith, v. 16, " The
prayer of a righteous man availeth much, if it be
fervent," and bringeth the example of Elias to
prove it; for, saith he, " Though Elias was a man
subject to the like passions that we be, yet was
he able by his prayers both to open and shut the
heavens." Abraham, likewise, prevails so far
with God, by his prayers for Sodom, tliat if there
had been but ten just men found in it, it had been
* Murmur and grudge.
172 THE PEA.TEHS OF THE TAITHFUL
spared. The Almighty God saith, in the 15th
chap, of Jeremiah, " Though Moses and Samuel
stood before me, yet mine affection could not be
towards this people;" which doth plainly show-
that Moses and Samuel might have done much
with him, had he not been so fully bent against
his people for their sins, as he was. So likewise
he saith in the prophecy of Ezekiel, xiv. 14,
" Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and
Job were amongst them, they should deliver but
their own souls by their righteousness;" which
also sheweth, that if there had been any possible
entreating of him for the land, these three men
might have done it; but now he was resolutely
determined to the contrary. In respect there-
fore, that the zealous preachers, and true profes-
sors of the gospel do so much prevail with God
by their prayers, they are said to be the defence
and strength of kingdoms and countries, of
churches and commonwealths; as it is said of
Elijah, that he was the chariot of Israel and the
horseman thereof. Elisha also was environed
with a mountain full of horses and chariots of fire.
And sure it is that Elijah and Elisha are not only
the chariots and horsemen of Israel, but also by
their prayers they do cause God himself to be a
wall of fire round about it ; as the prophet saith,
Ezekiel xx. 30, " The Lord God saith, I sought
for a man among them, that should make up the
hedge and stand in the gap before me for the
land; that I might not destroy it, but I found
none." Which sheweth that if there had been
but some few to have stood in the breach, he
would have spared the whole land. This also
appeareth more plainly in the prophecy of Jere-
miah, V. 1, where the Lord saith, " Run to and
A GREAT BLESSIXG TO KATIOyS. 173
Iro by the streets of Jerusalem, behold and en-
quire in the open places thereof, if ye can find a
man, or if there be any that executeth judgment
and seeketh the tiuth, and I will spare it." Oh
then, mark and consider what a man may do; yea,
what one man may do, what an Abraham may do,
what a Moses may do, what an EHjah may do,
what a Daniel, what a Samuel, what a Job, what
a Noah may do. Some one man, by reason of
his high favour with the Eternal, is able some-
times to do more for a land, by his prayers and
tears, than many prudent men by their counsel,
or valiant men by their swords. Tea, it doth
evidently appear, in the sacred volume of the Holv
Ghost, that some one poor preacher, being full of
the spirit and power of Elijah, doth more in his
study (either for oifence or defence; either for
the turning away of wrath, or the procuring for
mercy) than a camp-royal, even forty thousand
strong; or as the Spirit speaketh. Cant. iii. 7,
" Though they all have their swords girded to
their thighs, and be of the most vahant men in
Israel." All this is clearly proved in one verse of
the book of the Psalms, cvi. 23, where the prophet,
having reckoned up the sins of the people, addeth,
" Therefore the Lord minded to destroy them,
had not Moses (his chosen) stood in the breach
to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy
them." See, therefore, what one man may do
with God. Some one man doth so bind the
hands of God, that when he should strike, he hath
uo power to do it, as it is said of Lot, Gen. xix.
22, " I can do nothing till thou be come out."
See how the Lord saith he can do nothing, be-
cause he will do nothing. He doth wittingly and
wUlingly suffer his hands to be manacled and
174 THE PEATEES OF THE FAITHFUL
bound behind him, for some few's sake, which he
doth make more account of than all the world
besides; so precious and dear are they in his
sight. Likewise it is written, that the Lord was
exceedingly incensed against the Israelites for
their idolatrous calf, which they made in Horeb;
yet he could do nothing because Moses would
not let him ; and therefore he falleth to entreat-
ing of Moses, Esod. xxvii. that Moses would let
him alone, and entreat no more for them. Oh,
(saith the Lord to Moses) " Let me alone that
my wrath may wax hot against this people, and
that I may consume them." Thus Ave see that
except Lot go out of the city, and Moses let hun
alone, he can do nothing. Oh the profoundness
and altitude of Grod's mercy towards mankind!
Oh the heighth and depth, length and breadth of
his love towards some! Oh that the most glorious
and invisible Grod should so greatly respect the
sons of men! " For what is man, that he should
be mindful of him ? Or the son of man that he
should regard him?" Let us, therefore, that are
the Lord's remembrancers, give him no rest, nor
let him alone until we have some security, and
good assurance from him, that he will turn away
from us the wrath which we most justly have
deserved; that he will spare us and be merciful
unto us. Yea, and as the prophet saith, Isa. Ixii.
7, "Let us never leave him, nor give him over,
till he repair and set up Jerusalem, the praise of
the world:" lest for default hereof, that be charged
upon us, which was charged upon the head of
some of the prophets in Israel, that they were
like the foxes in the waste places, that they had
not risen up in the gaps, neither made up the
hedge for the house of Israel. For novv-a-days,
A GBEAT BLESSING TO KATIONS. 175
alas! we have many hedge-breakers — few hedge-
makers ; many openers of gaps — few stoppers ;
many breakei*s of breaches to let in the floods of
God's wrath upon us; but very few that, by true
repentance, go about to make up the breach, and
to let down the sluices, that the gushing streams
of God's vengeance may be stopped and stayed.
Phil. I do now plainly see that there be some
in high favour with God, and, as we say, greatly
in his books; since his love is so great unto them,
that for their sakes he spareth thousands.
Theol. It is written in the Proverbs of Solo-
mon, that the righteous in a land are the estab-
lishment of the king's throne; and the wicked the
overthrowing of the same. The words are these,
XXV. 4, " Take away the dross from the silver,
and there will proceed a vessel for the finer.
Take away the wicked from the king, and his
throne shall be established in righteousness."
Likewise, in another place the wise man affirmeth,
that the righteous are the strength and bulwark
of cities, towns, and corporations, but the wicked
are the weakening and undoing of all, xxix. 8,
" Scornful men," saith he, " set a city on fire,
but the wise turn away wrath." To this purpose,
most excellent is that saying of Eliphaz, in Job
xxii. 30, " The innocent shall deliver the land,
and it shall be preserved by the pureness of their
hands." We read in the book of Chronicles, that
when the Levites and the priests were cast out
by Jeroboam, they came to Jerusalem, and all
such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of
Israel came with them. And then, afterward, it
is said, they strengthened the kingdom of Judah,
and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon mighty.
By all these testimonies, it is evident that princes,
176 THE PEATEES Or THE FAITHFUL
kingdoms, cities, towns, and villages, are fortified
by the righteous therein; and for their sakes also
great plagues are kept back. Which thing one
of the heathen did well see into, as appeareth by
his words, which are these: "When God mean-
eth well unto a city, and will do good unto it,
then he raiseth up good men; but when he
meaneth to punish a city or country, and do ill
unto it, then he taketh away the good men from
it."
Theol. It is very manifest by all that you have
alleged, that the wicked fare the better every
day in the year, for the righteous that dwell
amongst them.
Theol. All experience doth teach it, and the
scriptures do plentifully avouch it ; for did not
churlish Laban fare the better for Jacob his kins-
man ? Doth he not acknowledge that the Lord
had blessed him for his sake? Did not Potiphar
fare the better for godly Joseph ? Doth not the
scripture say, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's
house for Joseph his sake ? And that the Lord
made all that he did to prosper in his hands?
Did not Obededom fare the better for the ark ?
Did not the seventy-and-six souls that were in the
ship with Paul, speed all the better for his sake?
Did not the angel of God tell him in the night
that God had given unto him all that sailed with
him ? for, otherwise, a thousand to one, they
had been all drowned. Therefore, the children
of God may very fitly be compared to a great
piece of cork, which, though it be cast into the
sea, having many nails fastened in it, yet it bear-
eth them all vip from sinking, which otherwise,
would sink of themselves. What shall we say
then, or what shall we conclude, but that the
A 6BEAT BLESSniG TO JTATIOirS. 177
ungodly are more beholden to the righteous than
they are aware of?
Phil. 1 do thmk if it were not for God's chil-
dren, it would go hard with the wicked. For, if
they were sorted and shoaled out from amongst
them, and placed by themselves, what could thej'
look for, but wrath upon wrath, and plague upon
plague — till the Lord had made a final consump-
tion of them, and swept them like dung from the
face of the earth.
Theol. Sure it is, all creatures would frown
upon them. The sun would unwillingly shine
upon them, or the moon give them any light.
The stars would not be seen of them, and the
planets would hide themselves. The beasts would
devour them, the fowls would pick out their eyes.
The fishes would make war against them, and all
creatures in heaven and earth would rise up in arms
against them. Yea, the Lord himself from heaven
would rain down fire and brimstone upon them.
Phil. Tet for all this, it is a wonder to con-
sider how deadly the wicked hate the righteous,
and almost iu every thing oppose themselves
against them, and that in most virulent and spite-
ful manner. They rail and slander, scoff and
scorn, mock and mow at them, as though they
were not worthy to hve upon the earth. They
esteem every pelting rascal, and prefer every vile
varlet before them. And though they have their
lives and hberty, their breath and safety, and all
that they have else by them, yet, for all that,
they could be content to eat their hearts with
garlic ; so great, so fiery, so burning and hissing
hot is their fury and mahce against them.
Theol. They may very fitly be compared to
a moth that fretteth in pieces the same cloth
178 THE PEATEES OF THE rAITHrUL
wherein she is bred; or to a certain worm or can-
ker, that corrodeth and eateth through the heart
of the tree that nourisheth her; or unto a man
that standeth upon a bough in the top of a tree
where there is no more, and yet, with an axe
choppeth it off, and there withal falieth down
with it and breaketh his neck. Even so the fools
of this world do what they can to chop asunder
the bough that upholds them, but they may
easily know what will follow.
Phil. I see plainly they be much their own foes,
and stand in their own light, and indeed know
not what they do. For the benefit which they
receive by such is exceeding great, and therefore
by their mangling of them, they do but hold the
stirrup to their own destruction.
TTieol. Now to apply these things to ourselves,
and to return to the first question of this argu-
ment, may we not marvel that our nation is so
long spared, considering that the sins thereof are
so horrible and outrageous as they be?
Phil. We may justly marvel at the wonderful
patience of Grod. And we may well think that
there be some in the land which stand in the
breach, being in no small favour with his High-
ness, since they do so much prevail.
Theol. The merciful preservation of our most
gracious king, who is the breath of our nostrils —
the long continuance of our peace, and of the gos-
pel— the keeping back of the sword out of the land,
which our sins pull upon us — the frustrating of
many plots and subtle devices which have been
often intended against our state — yea, and the life
of his Majesty's most royal person — make me to
think that there be some strong pleaders with God,
for the public good of us all.
A GBEAT BLES3IN0 TO SATIOXS. 179
Fhil. You may well think so, indeed; for, by
our sins, we have forfeited, and daily do forfeit,
into God's hands, both our king, our country, our
peace, our gospel, our lives, our goods, our lands,
our livings, our wives, our children, and all that
we have: but only the righteous (which are so
near about the king, and in so high favour) do
step in, and earnestly entreat for us, that the for-
feitures may be released, and that we may have
a lease, in parley, of them all again; or at least
a grant of further time. But I pray you, sir, are
not we to attribute something, concerning our
good estate, to the policy of the land, the laws
established, and the wisdom and counsel of our
prudent governors ?
Theol. Yes, assuredly, very much; as the ordi-
nary and outward means, which God useth for our
safety. For though the apostle Paul had a grant
from God for the safety of his own life, and all
that were with him in the ship, yet he said, Acts
xxvii. 31, "Except the mariners abide in the ship,
we cannot be safe;" shewing thereby, that unto
faith, and prayers, the best and wisest means must
be joined. We are therefore, upon our knees every
day, to give thanks unto God for such good means
of our safety, as he hath given us.
Phil. Well then, as the prayers of the right-
eous have been hitherto great means, both for the
averting and turning away of wrath and the con-
tinuance of favour; so shew, I pray you, what is
the best course to be taken, and what in sound
wisdom is to be done, both to prevent future
dangers, and to continue God's favours and mer-
cies still upon us.
Theol. The best and surest course, that I can
consider or conceive of, is, to repent heartily for
180 THE WAT TO WAED OTT
sins past, and to reform our lives in time to come,
to seek tlie Lord while he may be found, and to
call upon him while he is near: to forsake our
own ways, and our own imaginations, and to turn
unto him with all our hearts, with weeping, with
fasting, and with mourning; as the prophet Joel
adviseth, "For our God is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repent-
eth him of the evil." All the prophets do counsel
us to follow this course, and do plainly teach,
that if we all (from the highest to the lowest) do
meet the Lord with unfeigned repentance, and
offer him the sacrifice of a contrite spirit, un-
doubtedly he will be pacified towards us, and be
merciful to our transgressions. This is most
plainly set down in the 7th of Jeremiah, where
the Lord saith thus to his people, "If you amend
and redress your ways, and your works: if you
execute judgment betwixt a man and his neigh-
bour, and oppress not the stranger, the fatherless,
and the widow, and shed no innocent blood in
this place, neither walk after other gods to your
destruction; then will I let you dwell in this
place ; even in the land which I gave unto your
fathers, for ever and ever." So likewise he saith
by the same prophet, xxii. 3, "Execute ye judg-
ment and righteousness, and deliver the oppress-
ed from the hand of the oppressor, and vex not
the fatherless, the widow or the strangers; do no
violence, nor shed innocent blood in this place:
for if you do this thing, then shall the kings
sitting upon the tin-one of David, enter in by the
gates of this house, and ride upon chariots and
upon horses, both he, and his servants, and his
people;" and again, iii. 22, "O ye disobedient
children, return, and I will heal your rebellion."
god's JUDGilESTS. 181
The Lord also saith by his prophet, Isaiah i. 19,
" If ye consent and obey ye shall eat the good
things of the land; but if ye refuse and be rebel-
lious, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for
the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." The
prophet Hosea, vi. 1, saith, " Come, let us return
to the Lord, for he hath spoiled, and he will heal
us; he hath wounded us, and he will bind us
up ; and again, xiv. 1, " O Israel, return unto the
Lord, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity, and
I will heal thy rebellion, and will love thee
freely ; for mine anger is turned away from thee :
I will be as the dew unto Israel, he shall grow
as the Hly, and fasten his root as the tree of
Lebanon ; his branches shall spread, and his
beauty shall be as the olive tree ; and his smell
as Lebanon." The prophet Mieah, vi. 8, telleth
us what is good for us, and what is our best course,
and what the Lord requireth at our hands ; name-
ly, these four things: to do justly, to love mercy,
to humble ourselves, and to walk with our God.
The prophet Amos, v. 14, giveth the same coun-
sel, saying, " Seek the Lord, and ye shall live ;
seek good, and not evil ; hate the evil, and love
the good, and establish judgment in the gate ;
it may be, that the Lord of Hosts will be merciful
unto the remnant of Joseph ;" also, the Lord
himself saith, " If this nation, against whom I
have pronounced, turn from their wickedness, I
will repent of the plague I thought to bring upon
them," Jeremiah xviii. 8. Thus we do plainly
see what advice and counsel the prophets and holy
men of God do give unto us. The sum of all
is this, that if we do truly repent and turn unto
him with all our hearts, studying to obey him,
and walk in his ways,^en he wiU grant us any
182 THE WAT TO WAED Orr
favour that we will require at his hands; for,
even as woolpacks, and other soft matter beateth
back, and dampeth the force of all shot; so peni-
tent, melting, and soft hearts, do beat back the
shot of Grod's wrath, and turn away his vengeance
from us. Moreover, we may observe in all expe-
rience, that when potentates are offended, or any
great man hath conceived a displeasure against a
poor man, that then he must run and ride, send
presents, use his friends, break his sleeps, and
never be quiet till he have pacified him. Even
so must we deal with our God, seeing he hath
taken a displeasure against us. Oh, therefore,
that we would speedily use all possible means to
pacify his wrath! Oh that we would, with one
heart and voice, every one of us, from the highest
to the lowest, humble ourselves before our God,
forsake our former evil ways, be grieved for that
we have done, and purpose never to do the like
again ! Oh that it might go to the hearts of us,
that we have so often and so grievously offended
so loving a God, and so merciful a Father ! Oh
that we would awake once at last, and rouse up
our drowsy hearts, and ransack our sleepy con-
sciences, crying out against our sins, that our sins
might never cry out against us ! Oh that we
would judge ourselves, accuse ourselves, indict
oiu-selves, and condemn ourselves ; so should we
never be adjudged, accused, indicted, or condemn-
ed of the Lord! Oh that all hearts might sob,
all souls might sigh, all loins might be smitten
with sorrow, all faces gather blackness, and every
man smite himself on the thigh, saying, what
have I done ? Oh that both magistracy, minis-
tery, and commonalty, \^uld purpose and vow,
and even take a bond olkhemselves, that from
god's JrDGMElfTS. 183
henceforth, and from this day forward, thev would
set their hearts to seek the Lord ; and that they
would wholly give up themselves to his obedience!
Oh that all men, women, and children, would fear
God and keep his commandments ; would eschew
evil, and do good ; would study to please God in
all things, and to be fruitful in all good works ;
making conscience to perform the duties of their
general callings, and duties of their special call-
ings; duties of the first table, and duties of the
second table; that so God might be sincerely
worshipped, his name truly reverenced, his Sab-
baths religiously observed ; and that every man
would deal kindly, mercifully, justly, and up-
rightly with his neighbour ; that there might be
no complaining, no crying in our streets ! Oh ! I
say again and again, that if all of us, of what
estate, degree, or condition soever, would walk in
the paths of' our God, then doubtless we should
live and see good days; all future dangers should
be prevented, our peace prolonged, our state
estabhshed, our king preserved, and the gospel
continued. Then should we still enjoy our lives,
our goods, our lands, our livings, our wives, our
children, our houses and tenements, our orchards
and gardens; yea, as the prophet saith, we should
eat the good things of the land, spending our
days in much comfort, peace, and tranquility;
and leave great blessings unto our children and
posterity, from age to age, from generation to
generation.
Phil. You have fully answered my question,
and well satisfied me therein, out of the scriptures :
yet I pray you give me leave to add one thing
unto that, which you have at large set down.
The Lord saith by the prophet Amos, iv. 6-11,
184 JUDGMENTS AKD BLESSINGS
that for their sins and rebellions, he hath given
them cleanness of teeth: that is, dearth and scar-
city; and yet they did not turn unto him. Also he
withheld the rain from them, and punished them
with drought, and yet they did not turn unto him.
Moreover he smote their corn, their great gardens,
their orchards, vineyards, fig-trees, and olive-trees,
with blasting and mildew, and the palmer-worm
did devour them; and yet they did not return
unto him. Last of all, he smote them with
pestilence, and with the sword, and overthrew
them, as he overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and
they were as a firebrand plucked out of the burn-
ing: yet, for all this, they did not turn unto him.
" Ye have not turned unto me, saith the Lord."
But now to come to the point. Out of this I
gather, that if we multiply our transgressions,
God will multiply his plagues upon us; but on
the contrary, if we would unfeignedly turn unto
the Lord our God with all our hearts, all plagues
should be stayed, all dangers prevented: and no
evil should fall upon us. For because they would
not turn, therefore he smote them. If therefore
they had turned, he would not have smote them,
But now I pray you briefly conclude this point,
and declare in few words, what it is that doth
most materially concern our peace, and public
good.
Theol. These few then briefly 1 take to be
things which belong to our peace: Let Solomon
execute Joab and Shimei. Let John and Elijah
slay the priests and prophets of Baal. Let Aaron
and Eleazar minister before the Lord faithfully.
Let Jonas be cast out of the ship. Let Moses
stand fast in the gap, and not let down his hands.
Let Joshua succeed him. Let Cornelius fear
ON THE COiEMOmirEALTH. 185
God, and all his household. Let Tahitha be full
of good works, and alms-deeds. Let Deborah
judge long in Israel, prosper, and be victorious.
Let us all pray that the light of Israel may not
be quenched. And this I take to be the sum of
all that belongeth to our peace.
MARKS AND EVIDENCES OF SALVATION.
PMl. The sum of all our conferences hitherto,
as I remember, may be reduced unto these few
heads: — first, man's natural corruption hath been
laid open ; secondly, the horrible firuits thereof;
thirdly, their eyil effects and workings, both
against our souls and bodies, goods, name, and
the whole land : lastly, the remedies of all. Now
therefore I would grow to some conclusion of that
which you touched by the way, and made some
mention of; namely, the signs of salvation and
damnation ; and declare unto us plainly, whether
the state of a man's soul, before God, may not bv
certain signs and tokens, be certainly diseem»i
even in this life ?
TTieol. Besides those which before have been
mentioned, we may add these nine following: —
reverence of God's name — keeping of his Sab-
baths— truth — sobriety — industry — compassion
— humility — chastity — contentment.
Phil. These indeed, I grant, are very good
signs: but yet all of them are not certain. For
some of them be in the reprobates.
Theol. What say you then to St. Peter's signs,
which are set down in the first chapter of his
186 MAEKS AND EVIDENCES
Second Epistle? which axe these eight:— faith —
virtue — knowledge — temperance — patience —
godliness — brotherly-kindness — love. St. Peter
saith, " If these be in us, and abound, they will
make us neither idle nor unfruitful in the know-
ledge of our Lord Jesus;" which is as much as
if he had said. They will make us sound and
sincere professors of the gospel.
Phil. All these, I grant, are exceeding good-
signs and evidences of a man's salvation; but yet
some of them may deceive; and an hole may be
picked in some of these evidences. I would,
therefore, hear of some such demonstrative and
infallible evidences as no lawyer can find fault
with; for I hold that good divines can as
perfectly judge of the assurances and evidences
of men's salvation, as the best lawyer can judge
of the assurances and evidences whereby men
hold their lands and livings.
Theol. You have spoken truly in that; and
would to God all the Lord's people would bring
forth the evidences of their salvation, that we
might discern of them.
FMl. Set down, then, which be the most cer-
tain and infallible evidences of a man's salvation,
against the which no exception can be taken.
Theol. I judge these to be most sound and
infallible: — assured faith in the promises — sin-
cerity of heart — the spirit of adoption — sound
regeneration and sanctification — inward peacB —
groundedness in the truth — continuance to the
end.
Phil. Now you come near the quick, indeed;
for, in my judgment, none of these can be found
truly in any reprobate. Therefore, I think no
divine can take exception against any of these.
or SALTATIOK. 187
Theol. No, I assure you; no more than a
lawyer can find fault with the tenure of men's
lands and fee-simples, when as both the title is
good and strong by the law, and the evidences
thereof are sealed, subscribed, delivered, conveyed,
and sufficient witness upon the same, and all
other signs and ceremonies — in the delivering
and taking possession thereof — according to
strict law observed. For if a man have these
forenamed evidences of his salvation, sure it is,
his title and interest to heaven is good, by the
law of Moses and the prophets — 1 mean the
word of God. God himself subscribeth to them;
Jesus Christ dehvereth them as his own deed;
the Holy Ghost sealeth unto them; yea, the
three great witnesses which bear record in the
earth — that is, water, blood, and the Spirit — do
all witness the same.
Thil. Now, you have very fully satisfied me
touching this point; and one thing more I do
gather out of all your speech, to wit, that you
do think a man may be assured of his salvation,
even in this life.
Theol. I, do think so, indeed. For he that
knoweth not in this life that he shall be saved,
shall never be saved after this life ; for St. John
saith. 1 Epis. iii. 2, " Now are we made the sons
of God."
Phil. But because many doubt of this, and
the papists do altogether deny it, therefore I
pray you to confirm it unto us out of the
scriptures.
Theol. The apostle saith, 2 Cor. v. 1, " We
know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle
be destroyed, we have a building given us of
God: that is, an house not made with hands, but
188 MASKS AND EYIDENQES
eternal in the heavens." Mark that he saith,
both he and the rest of God's people, did certainly
know, that heaven was provided for them. "For
the Spirit of adoption beareth witness with our
spirits, that we are the children of God." And
again, the same apostle saith, 2 Tim. iv. 8, "From
henceforth is laid up for me the crown of right-
eousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall
give me at that day; and not to me only, but to
all them that love his appearing." Here we see
that he knew there was a crown prepared for him,
and for all the elect. And the same Spirit which
did assure it unto Paul, doth assure it also to all
the children of God. For they all have the same
Spirit, though not in the same measure. St. John
saith also, 1 Epis. ii. 2-3, "Hereby we are sure
we know him; if we keep his commandments."
In which words, he telleth us thus much ; that
if we do unfeignedly endeavour to obey God, there
is in us the true knowledge and fear of God; and
consequently, we are sure we shall be saved. St.
Peter saith, "Give all diligence to make your
calling and election sure.' ' Wherefore should the
apostle exhort us to make our election sure, if
none could be sure of it? In the second of the
Ephesians, the apostle saith flatly, "that in Christ
Jesus we do already sit together in the heavenly
places." His meaning is not, that we are there
already in possession; but we are as sure of it, as
if we were there already. The reasons hereof are
these: Christ our head is in possession ; therefore
he will draw all his members unto him, as he him-
self saith. Secondly, we are as sure of the thing
which we hope for, as of that which we have. But
we are sure of that which we have, which is the
work of grace; therefore we are sure of that we
OF SALTATIOIT. 189
U)ok. for, which is the crown of glory. Many-
other places of the holy scriptures might he alleged
to this purpose: but I suppose, these may suffice.
Phil. As you have shewed this by the scrip-
tures, so also shew it yet more plainly, by evident
reason out of the same.
Theol. How can a man in truth call Grod his
Father (when he saith, "Our Father, which art
in heaven,") and yet doubt, whether he be his
Father or no ? For if God iudeed be our Father,
and we his children, how can we perish ? how can
we be damned ? Will a father condemn his own
children? or shall the children of God be con-
demned? No, no; "There is no condemnation to
them that are in Christ Jesus. And, who can lay
any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God
that justifieth, who can condemn?" Eom. viii. 1,
33-34. It is therefore most certain and sure,
that aU such as do in truth call God their Father,
and have God for their Father, shall be saved.
Again, how can a man say, in truth and feeling,
that he beheveth the forgiveness of sin, and yet
doubt whether he shall be saved? For if he be
fully persuaded that his sins are foi^ven, what
letteth why he should not be saved? Moreover,
as certainly as we know that we are called, justi-
fied, and sanctified; so certainly we know we shall
be glorified. But we know the one certainly, and
therefore the other.
Jjsun. I wUl never believe, that any man can
certainly know in this world, whether he shall be
saved, or damned; but all men must hope well,
and be of a good belief.
Theol. Nay, we must go fiirther than hope well.
We may not venture our salvation upon uncertain
hopes ; as, Ef a man should hope it would be a
190 MA.EKS AND ETIDENCES
fair day to-morrow : but he cannot certainly tell.
No, no. We must in this case, being of such in-
finite importance as it is, grow to some certainty,
and full resolution. We see worldly men will be
loath to hold their lands and leases uncertainly,
having nothing to shew for them. They will not
stand to the courtesy of their landlords, nor rest
upon their good wills. They will not stay upon
uncertain hope. No; they are wiser than so. "For
the cliildren of this world are wiser in their gen-
eration, than the children of light." They will
be sure to have something to shew. They will
have it under seal. They will not stay upon the
words and promises of the most honest men, and
best landlords. They cannot be quiet till they
have it in white and black, with sound counsel
upon their title ; and every way made as sure unto
them, as any law of the land can make it. Are
then the children of this world so wise in these
inferior things, and shall not we be as wise in
matters of ten thousand times more importance?
Are they so wise for earth, and shall not we as
wise for heaven? Are they so wise for their
bodies, and shall not we be as wise for our souls?
Shall we hold the state of our immortal inherit-
ance by hope well; and have no writings, nor
evidences, no seal, no witnesses, nor any thing to
shew for it? Alas, this is a weak tenure, a broken
title, a simple hold indeed.
Asun. Yet for all that a man cannot be certain.
Theol. Yes, St. John telleth us, we may be
certain ; for he saith, " Hereby we know we
dwell in him, and he in us; because he ha.th
given us of his Spirit," 1 Epis. iv. 13. He saith
not, we hope; but we know certainly. For he
that hath the Spu-it of God, knoweth certainly he
OF SALVATION. 191
hath it; and he that hath faith, knoweth that he
hath faith ; and he that shall be saved, knoweth
he shall be saved. For God doth not work so
darkly in men's hearts by his Spirit, but that
they may easily know whether it be of him or no,
if they would make a due trial. Again, the
same apostle saith, v. 10, " He that beSeveth in
the Son of God, hath the witness in himself;"
that is, he hath certain testimonies in his own
conscience that he shall be saved ; for we must
fetch the warrant of our salvation from within
ourselves, even from the work of God within us.
For look, how much a man feeleth in himself the
increase of knowledge, obedience, and godliness,
so much the more sure he is that he shall be
saved. A man's own conscience is of great force
this way, and wUl not lie or deceive; for so
saith the wise man, Prov. xxvii. 19, "As water
sheweth face to face, so doth the heart man unto
man; that is, the mind and conscience of every
man telleth him justly, though not perfectly,
what he is. For the conscience will not lie, but
accuse or excuse a man — being instead of a
thousand witnesses. The apostle also saith, 1
Cor. ii. 11, " No man knoweth the things of
man, but the spirit of a man that is in him."
And again, the scripture saith, Prov. xx. 27,
" Man's soul is, as it were, the candle of the
Lord; whereby he searcheth all the bowels of the
beUy." So then, it is a clear case that a man
must have recourse to the work of God's grace
within him, even in his own soul; for thereby
he shall be certainly resolved one way or another ;
for even as Rebecca knew certainly, by the
striving and stirring of the twins in her womb,
that she was conceived and quick of child; so
192 MAEKS AND ETIDENCES
God's children know certainly, by the motions
and stirrings of the Holy Ghost within them,
that they have conceived Christ, and shall mi-
doubtedly he saved.
PJiil. I pray you, let us come to the ground-
work of this certainty of salvation, and speak
somewhat of that.
Tlieol. The ground-work of our salvation is
laid in God's eternal election, and in respect there-
of it standeth fast and unmoveahle; as it is
written, 2 Tim. ii. 19, " The foundation of God
standeth fast;" and again, ver. 13, " He is faithful
that hath promised, though we cannot believe,
yet he abideth faithful." So then, as we know
it certainly in ourselves, by the consequents of
election ; so it standeth most firm in respect of
God, and his eternal and immutable decree. And
a thousand infirmities, nay, all the sins in the
world, nor all the devils in hell, cannot overthrow
God's election ; for our Lord Jesus saith, John
vi. 37, " All that the Father hath given me, shall
come unto me;" and again, ver. 39, "This is
the Father's will that hath sent me: that of all
which he hath given me, I should lose nothing;
but should raise it up again at the last day;"
and in another place, our Saviour Christ saith,
John X. 27, " My sheep hear my voice, and I
know them, and they follow me; and I give unto
them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
neither shall any pluck them out of my hand.
My Father which gave them me, is greater than
all ; and none is able to take them out of my
Father's hand." We ought, therefore, to be as
sure of our salvation as of any other thing which
God hath promised, or which we are bound to
believe ; for to doubt thereof, in respect of God's
OF SALVATI02<r. 193
truth, is blasphemous against the immutability
of his truth.
Phil. But are there not some doubts, at some
times, even in the very elect, and in those which
are grown to the greatest persuasion ?
Theol. Yes, venly ; for he that never doubted,
never believed ; for whosoever believeth in truth,
feeleth sometimes doubtings and waverings. Even
as the sound body feeleth many grudgings of dis-
eases, which if he hath not health, he could not
feel; so the soimd soul feeleth some doubtings,
which if it were not sound, it could not so easily
feel; for we feel not corruption by corruption,
but we feel corruption by grace ; and the more
grace we have, the more quick are we in the feel-
ing of corruption. Some men of tender skins,
and quick feeling, will easily feel the slightest
feather, in softer manner laid upon the ball of
their hands; which others, of more slow feeling
and hard flesh, cannot so easily discern. So
then it is certaio, that although the children of
God feel some doubtings at sometimes, yet the
same do no whit impeach the certainty of their
salvation; but rather argue a perfect soundness
and health of their souls; for when such little
grudgings are felt in the soul, the children of
God oppose against thera the certainty of God's
truth and promises, and so do easily overcome
them. For the Lord's people need no more to
fear them, than he that rideth through the
streets upon a lusty gelding, with his sword by
his side, needs to fear the barking and bawling
of a few little curs and whappets.*
Phil. Show yet more plainly how, or in what
* little dogs.
o
194 MAEKS AND EVIDENCES
respects, the child of God may both have doubt-
ings, and yet be fully assured.
Theol. Even as a man set in the top of the
highest steeple in the world, and so fast bound
unto it that he cannot fall though he would —
yet, when he looketh downward, he feareth,
because man's nature is not acquainted nor
accustomed to mount so high in the air, and to
behold the earth so far beneath — but when he
looketh upward and perceiveth himself fast bound
and out of all danger, then he casteth away all
fear: even so, when we look downward to our-
selves, we have doubts and fears ; but when we
look upward to Christ, and the truth of his
promises, we feel ourselves quite sure, and cease
to doubt any more.
Phil. Declare unto us what is the original of
these doubts and fears, and from whence they
spring in the children of God.
Theol. They spring from the imperfection
of our sanctification, and from that strife
which is in the very mind of the elect between
faith and infidelity; for these two do mightily
fight together in the regenerate, and strive to
over-master and over-shadow one another ; by
reason whereof sometimes it eometh to pass,
through the prevailing of unbelief, that the most
excellent servants of God may fall into fits and
pangs of despair, as Job and David, in their
temptations, did. And even in these days, also,
some of God's children at sometimes are shrewdly
handled this way, and brought very low, even
unto death's door; but yet the Lord in great
mercy doth recover them, both from total and
final despair. Only they are humbled and tried
by these sharp fits for a time, and that for their
OF SALTATIOlf. 195
great good. For as we use to say, that an ague
in a young man is a sign of health ; so these burn-
ing fits of temptations in the elect, for the most
part, are signs of God's grace and favour ; for, if
they were not of God, the devil would never be so
busy with them.
Phil. Is it not mere presumption, and an over-
much trusting to ourselves, to be persuaded of
our salvation?
Theol. Nothing less. For the g^und of this
persuasion is not laid in ourselves, or any thing
within us, or without us; but only in the right-
eousness of Christ, and the merciful promises of
God. For is it any presumption for us to beHeve
that which God hath promised, Christ hath pur-
chased, and the Holy Ghost hath sealed? No
▼eiily, it is not any presumption; but a thing
which we all stand bound unto, as we will answer
it at the dreadful day of judgment. As for our-
selves we do freely confess that in God's sight we
are but lumps of sin and masses of all misery ; and
cannot of ourselves move hand or foot to the
furtherance of our salvation; "But being justified
by faith, we are at peace with God," and fully
persuaded of his love and favour toward us, in '
Christ.
Phil. Caimot the reprobates and ungodly be
assured of their salvation?
Theol. No; for the prophet saith, ''There is
no peace to the wicked," Isa. Ivii. 21. Then I
reason thus: they which have not the inward
peace cannot be assvu-ed; but the wicked have
not the inward peace ; therefore they cannot be
assured. Stedfast faith in the promises doth as-
sure; but the wicked have not stedfast faith in
the promises; therefore they cannot be assured.
196 MAEKS AND EYIDENCES
The Spirit of adoption doth assure; but the
wicked have not the spirit of adoption ; therefore
they cannot be assured. To conclude, when a
man feeleth in himself an evil conscience, blind-
ness, profaneness, and disobedience, he shall, in
despite of his heart, — sing this doleful song, I
know not whether I shall be saved or damned.
Fhil. Is not the doctrine of the assurance of
salvation a most comfortable doctrine?
Theol. Yes, doubtless. For except a man be
persuaded of the favour of God, and the forgive-
ness of sins, and consequently of his salvation,
what comfort can he have in any thing? Besides
this, the persuasion of God's love towards us, is
the root of all our love and cheerful obedience
towards him; for, therefore, we love him and
obey him, because we know he hath loved us first,
and written our names in the book of life. But,
on the contrary, the doctrine of the papists, which
would have men always doubt and fear in a servile
sort, is most hellish and uncomfortable. For so
long as a man holds that, what encouragement
can he have to serve God? what love to his
Majesty? what hope in the promises? what
comfort in trouble? what patience in adversity?
Antil. Touching this point, I am flat of your
mind. For I think verily a man ought to be
persuaded of his salvation. And for mine own
part, I make no question of it. I hope to be
saved, as well as the best of them all. I am
out of fear for that; for I have such a sted-
fast faith in God, that if there should be but
two in the world saved, I hope I should be one
of them.
Theol. You are very, confident, indeed. You
are persuaded before you know, I would your
OE SALVATION. 197
ground were as good as your vain confidence.
But who so bold as blind Bayard r Your hope is
but a fancy, and as a sick man's dream. You
hope you cannot tell what. You have no ground
for what you say; for, what hope can you have
to be saved, when you walk in no path of salva-
tion? What hope can a man have to come to
London speedily, that travelleth nothing that
way, but quite contrary ? What hope can a man
have to reap a good crop of com, that useth no
means — neither ploweth, soweth, nor harroweth ?
WTiat hope can a man have to be fat and well-
liking of his body, that seldom or never eateth
any meat? What hope can a man have to escape
drowning, which leapeth into the sea? Even so,
what hope can yon have to be saved, when you
walk nothing that way, when you use no means,
when you do all things contrary unto the same?
For, alas! there is nothing in you of those things
which the scriptures do affirm must be in all
those that shall be saved. There be none of the
forenamed signs and tokens in you. You are
ignorant, profane, and careless. Grod is not wor-
shipped under your roof. There is no true fear
of God in yourself nor in your household. You
seldom hear the word preached. You content
yourself with an ignorant minister. You have no
prayers in your family, no reading, no singing of
psalms, no instructions, exhortations, admonitions,
or any other Christian exercises. You make no
conscience of the observation of the Sabbaths;
you use not the name of God with any reverence;
you break out sometimes into horrible oaths and
cursings; you make an ordinary matter of swear-
ing by your faith, and your troth. Your wife is
irreligious ; your children dissolute and ungracious ;
198 MABKS A2fD EYIDEJTCES
your servants profane and careless. You are an
example in your own house of all atheism and
conscienceless behaviour. You are a great game-
ster, a rioter, a spendthrift, a drinker, a common
ale-house hunter, an vphore hunter; and, to con-
clude, given to all vice and naughtiness. Now
then, I pray you tell me, or rather let your con-
science tell me, vrhat hope you can have to be
saved, so long as you walk and continue in this
course ? Doth not St. John say, 1 Epis. i. 6, " If
we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in
darkness, we are liars?" Doth not the same
apostle avouch, that such as say "They know
God, and keep not his commandments, are liars?"
ii. 4. Again, doth he not say, iii. 8, 10, " He
that committeth sin is of the devil;" and " Who-
soever doeth not righteousness, is not of God?"
Doth not our Lord Jesus flatly tell the Jews,
which bragged that Abraham was their father,
that they were of their father the devil, because
they did his works? Doth not the apostle Paul
say, " His servants we are to whom we obey;
whether it be of sin unto death, or of obedience
unto righteousness?" Eom. vi. 16. Doth not
the scriptures say, " He that doeth righteousness,
is righteous?" 1 John iii. 7. Doth not oru* Lord
Jesus affirm, that " Not everyone that saith, Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is
in heaven ?" Matt. vii. 21. Therefore, I conclude,
that forasmuch as 3'our whole course is carnal,
careless, and dissolute, you can have no warran-
table hope to be saved.
Phil. I do verily think that this man's case,
which now you have laid open, is the case of
thousands.
OF SALTATIOK. 199
Theol. Yea, doubtless of thousand thousands —
the more is the pity.
Asun. Soft and fair, sir; you are very round
indeed: soft fire maketh sweet malt. I hope
you know we must be saved by mercy, and
not by merit. If I should do all myself, where-
fore serveth Christ? I hope that which I
cannot do, he will do for me ; and I hope to be
saved by Jesus Christ as well as the best of you
all.
Theol. Oh, now I see which way the game
goeth. You would fain make Christ a cloak for
your sins. You will sin that grace may abound.
You will sin frankly, and set all upon Christ's
score. Truly there be many thousands of your
mind, which, hearing of God's abundant mercy
in Christ, are thereby made more bold to sin;
but they shall know one day, to their cost, what
it is so to abuse the mercy of God. The apostle
saith, "The mercy and loving-kindness of God
should lead us to repentance," Rom. ii. 4; but
we see it leadeth man to further hardness of
heart. The prophet saith, "With him is mercy,
that he may be feared;" but many thereby are
made more secure and careless. But to come
nearer the mark: you say you hope to be saved
by Jesus Christ; and I answer, that if those
things be foimd in you, which the scriptures
do avouch to be in aU that shall be saved by
him, then you may have good confidence and
assured hope; otherwise not. Now the scrip-
tures do thus determine it, and set it down, that
if a man be in Christ, and look to be saved by
him, he must be endued with these quaUties fol-
lowing:— first, he must be "a new creature,"
2 Cor. V. 17; secondly, he must live, "not after
200 MAEKS AND EVIDENCES
the lusts of men, but after the will of God,"
1 Peter iv. 2; thirdly, he must be "zealous of
good works," Tit. ii. 14; fourthly, he must "die
to sin, and live to righteousness," Eom. vi. 11;
fifthly, he must be "holy and unblameable," Col.
i. 12; sixthly, he must "so walk as Christ hath
walked," John ii. 6; seventhly, he must "crucify
the flesh with the affections and lusts," Gal. v.
24; eighthly, he must "walk not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit," Rom. viii. 1; last of all,
he must "serve God in righteousness and true
holiness all the days of his life," Luke i. 75.
Lo, then, what things are required of all that
shall be saved by Christ. Now, therefore, if
these things be in you in some measure of truth,
then your hope is current, sound, and good;
otherwise, it is nothing worth: for in vain do
men say they hope to be saved by Christ, when
as they walk dissolutely. The reason hereof is,
because the members must be suitable to the
head; but Christ our head is holy; therefore,
we his members, must be holy also; as it is
written, " Be ye holy, for I am holy." Other-
wise, if we will join profane and unholy mem-
bers to our holy head Christ, then we make
Christ a monster. As if a man should join unto
the head of a lion, the neck of a bear, the body
of a wolf, and the legs of a fox; were it not a
monstrous thing? would it not be a monstrous
creature? Even such a thing do they go about,
which would have swearers, drunkards, whore-
mongers, and such like, to be the members of
Christ, and to have life and salvation by him.
But since you do so much presume of Christ, I
J) ray you, let me ask you a question.
Aniil. What is that ?
OF SOLVATION. 201
Theol. How do you know that Christ died for
you particularly, and by name ?
JMU. Christ died for all men, and therefore
for me.
Theol. But aU men shall not be saved by
Christ: how, therefore, do you know that you
are one of them that have special interest in
Christ, and shall be saved by his death?
A^itil. This I know, that we are all sinners,
and cannot be saved by any other than by
Christ.
Theol. Answer directly to my question. How
do you know in yourself, and for yourself, that
you are one of the elect, and one of those for
whom Christ died?
Antil. I know it by my good faith in God;
because I put my whole trust in him, and in
none other.
Theol. But how know you that you have
faith? or how shall a man know his faith?
Antil. I know it by this, that I have always
had as good a meaning, and as good a faith to
Godward as any man of my calling, and that is
not book learned. I have always feared God
with all my heart, and served him with my
prayws.
Theol. Tush! now you go about the bush,
and hover in the air. Answer me to the point:
how do you know, certainly and assuredly, that
Christ died for yon particularly, and by name?
Antil. You would make a man mad. You
put me out of my faith; you drive me from
Christ. But if you go about to drive me from
Christ, I will never believe you; for I know we
must be saved only by him.
Theol. I go not about to drive you from
202 MARKS ATHD EVIDENCES
Christ, but to drive you to Christ: for how can
I drive you from Christ, seeing you never came
near him? how can I drive you out of Christ,
seeing you were never in him ? But this is it
that deceiveth you and many others, that you
think you believe in Christ, because you say
you believe in Christ; as though faith consisted
in words, or as though a man had faith because
he saith so. If every one that saith he hath
faith, therefore hath faith ; and every one that
saith he believeth in Christ, doth therefore
believe; then who will not have faith? who
will not believe? But, in very deed, your faith,
and the faith of many others, is nothing else but
a mere imagination. But all this while you
have not answered my question touching your
particular knowledge of Christ.
Antil. I can answer you no otherwise than I
have answered you; and I think I have answered
you sufficiently.
Theol. No, no; you faulter in your speech:
your answer is not worth a button; you speak
you know not what; you are altogether befogged
and benighted in this question. But if there
were in your heart the true knowledge and lively
feeling of God, then I am sure you would have
yielded another and a better answer — then you
would have spoken something from the sense
and feeling of your own heart, and from the
work of Grod's grace within you; but, because
you can yield no sound reason that Christ died
for you particularly, and by name, therefore I
suspect you are none of them which have proper
interest in him, and in whom his death taketh
effect indeed.
Phil. I think this question would gravel a
or 8AXTATIOF. 203
great namber; and few there be that can answer
it aright.
Theol. It is most certain. I do know it by
lamentable experience that not one of an hundred
can soundlv and sufficiently answer this question;
none, indeed, but onlj those in whom the new
work is wrought, and do, by the inward work
of the Spirit, feel Christ to be theirs. I have
talked with some which are both witty, sen-
sible, and learned, who, notwithstanding, when
they have been brought to this very point and
issue, have stuck sore at it, and staggered very
much: and howsoever they might by wit and
learning shuffle it over, and, in a plxmdered sort
speak reason; yet had they no feeling of that
which they said, and therefore no assurance : and
oofnsequently as good never a whit, as never the
better. It is the sanctifying Spirit that giveth
feeling in this point; and therefore, without the
feeling of the operation of the same Spirit, it
can never be soundly answered. Thus then, I
do close up this whole matter: as the vine-
branch cannot hve and bring forth fruit, except
it abide in the vine: no more can we, except we
abide in Christ, and be truly grafted into him bj
a lively faith. None can have any benefit by
him, but they only which dwell in him. None
can live by Christ, but they which are changed
into Christ. None are partakers of his body,
but they which are in Im body. None can be
saved by Christ crucified, but they which are
crucified with Christ. None can live with him
being dead, but those which die with him being
alive. Therefore, let us root downward in morti-
fication, that we may shoot upward in sanctifica-
tion. Let us die to sin, that we may live to
204 MAKES AND ETIDENCE8
righteousness. Let us die while we are alive,
that we may live when we are dead.
Asun. If none can he saved by Christ, but
only those which are so qualified as you speak
of, then Lord have mercy upon us; then the
way to heaven is very strait indeed, and few at
all shall be saved; for there be few such in the
world.
TJieol. You are no whit therein deceived; for,
when all comes to all, it is most certain that few
shall be saved; which thing I will shew unto
you, both by scripture, reason, and examples.
Asun. First, then, let us hear it proved by
the scriptures.
TJieol. Our Lord Jesus saith, "Enter in at the
strait gate : for, it is the wide gate and broad way
that leadeth to destruction; and many there be
which go in thereat; because the gate is strait,
and the way narrow, that leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it," Matt. vii. 13. Again
he saith, "Many are called, but few are chosen,"
XX. 16. In another place, we read of a certain
man which came to our Saviour Christ, and asked
him of purpose whether few should be saved.
To whom our Lord Jesus answered thus, "Strive
to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say
unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be
able," Luke xiii. 24. In which answer, albeit,
our Saviour doth not answer directly to his ques-
tion, either negatively or affirmatively ; yet doth
he plainly insinuate by his speeches that few shall
be saved. For, first, he bids us to strive earnestly;
noting thereby, that it is a matter of great strife
against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Se-
condly, he affirmeth, that the gate is very strait;
noting, that, none can enter in, vdthout vehement
OF SALVATION. 205
crowding, and almost breaking their shoulder-
bones. Lastly, he saith, that many which seek
to enter in, shall not be able; noting thereby, that
even of them that seek, many shall step short;
because they seek him not aright. Isaiah also
saith, "Except the Lord of Hosts had left us a
seed, we had been as Sodom, and had been like to
Gomorrah." The apostle also allegeth, out of
the prophet, "That the Lord will make a short
account in the earth, and gather it into a short
sum, with righteousness." These scriptures, I
think, are sufficient to prove that few shall be
saved.
Asun. Now let us hear your reasons.
Theol. If we come to reason, we may rather
wonder that any should be saved, than so few
shall be saved. For we have all the lets and
hindrances that may be, both within us and with-
out us. We have, as they say, the sxm, moon,
and seven stars against us. We have all the
devils in hell against us, with all their horns, heads,
marvellous strength, infinite wiles, cunning de-
vices, deep sleights, and methodical temptations.
Here runs a sore stream against us. Then have
we this present evil world against us, with her in-
numerable baits, snares, nets, gins, and grins to
catch us, fetter us, and entangle us. Here have we
profits and pleasures, riches and honour, wealth
and preferment, ambition and covetousness. Here
comes in a camp royal of spiritual and invisible
enemies. Lastly, we have our flesh, that is, our
corrupted nature against us; we have ourselves
against ourselves. For we ourselves are as great
enemies to our salvation, as either the world or
the devil. For, our understanding, reason, will,
and afiections, are altogether against us. Our
206 MAEES AKD EVIDENCES
natural wisdom is an enemy unto us. Our concu-
piscences and lusts do minister strength to Satan's
temptations. They are all in league with Satan
against us. They take part with him in every
thing against us and our salvation. They fight
all under his standard, and receive their pay of
him. This then goeth hard on our side, that the
devil hath an inward party against us ; and we
carry always within us our greatest enemy, which
is ever ready, night and day, to betray us into the
hands of Satan; yea, to unbolt the door, and let
him in to cut our throats. Here then we see an
huge army of dreadful enemies, and a very legion
of devils, lying in ambush against our souls. Are
not we therefore poor wretches in a most pitiful
case, which are thus betrayed and besieged on
on every side ? All things then considered, may
we not justly marvel that any shall be saved?
For who seeth not, who knoweth not, that thou-
sand thousands are carried headlong to destruc-
tion, either with the temptations of the world,
the flesh, or the devil? But yet, further, I will
shew, by another very manifest and apparent
reason, that the number of God's elect upon the
face of the earth are very few in comparison;
which may thus be considered; first, let there
be taken away from amongst us all papists,
atheists, and heretics ; secondly, let there be
shoaled out all vicious and notorious evil livers,
as swearers, drunkards, whoremongers, worldings,
deceivers, cozeners, proud men, rioters, gamesters,
and all the profane multitude; thirdly, let there
be refused and sorted out, all hypocrites, carnal
protestants, vain professors, backsliders, decUners,
and cold Christians; let all these I say, be sepa-
rated, and then tell me how many sound, sincere,
OF SALVATION. 207
faithful and zealous worshippers of God wiH be
found among us. I suppose we should not
need the art of arithmetic to number them:
for I think there would be very few in every
village, town, and city: I doubt they would walk
very thinly in the streets, so as a man might
easily teU them as they go. Our Lord Jesus
asketh a question in the gospel of St.Xuke xviii. 8,
saying, " Do you think, when the Son of man
Cometh, that he shall find faith on the earth?"
to the which we may answer, surelv very little.
Ajsun. Now, according to your promise, shew
this thing also by examples!
Theol. In the first age of the world, all flesh
had so corrupted their ways that God could no
longer bear them, but even vowed their destruc-
tion by the overflowing of waters. When the
flood came, bow few were found faithful ? Eight
persons only were saved by the ark. How few
righteous were found in Sodom, and the cities
adjoining; but one poor Lot and his family ? How
few believers were found in Jericho, but one
Rahab? How few of the old Israelites entered
into the land of promise, but two, Caleb and
Joshua? The rest could not enter in, because
of unbelief. The true and invisible church
was small, during the government of the Judges;
as appeareth plentifully in that book. In Elms's
time, the church was so small that it did not ap-
pear. In the reign of the kings of Israel and
Judah, the sincere worshippers were very few;
as appeareth by all the prophets. During the
captivity, the church was as the moon under a
cloud, she was driven into the wUdemess where
she hid herself. During the persecutions of the
Greek empire, by Gog, Magog, and Egypt, they
208 MABK8 ABTD ETIDENCES
were fewest of all. In Christ's time, what a silly
company did he begin withal! How were all
things corrupted by the priests, scribes, and pha-
risees! In the beginning of the apostle's preach-
ing there were few believers. After the first six
hundred years, what an eclipse was in the church
during the height of antichrist's reign! How
few true worshippers of Grod were in the world,
for the space of almost seven hundred years!
Since the gospel was broached and spread abroad,
how few do believe! and as the prophet saith,
"Lord, who hath believed our report?" Thus
then you see it is apparent, both by scripture,
reason, and examples of all ages, that the num-
ber of the elect is very small ; and, when all comes
to all, few shall be saved.
Phil. I pray you tell us how few, and to what
scantling they may be reduced: whether one of a
hundred, or one of a thousand, shall be saved ?
Theol. No man knoweth that, neither can I
give you any direct and certain answer unto it;
but I say that, in comparison of the reprobate,
there shall be but a few saved; for all that pro-
fess the gospel are not the true church before
God: there be many in the church which are
not of the church.
Phil. How do you prove that?
Theol. Out of the ninth to the Romans, where
the apostle saith, ver. 6, " All are not Israel, that
are of Israel;" and again, Isaiah crieth concern-
ing Israel, " Though the number of the children
of Israel were as the sand of the sea, yet but a
remnant shall be saved," v. 27.
Phil. How do you balance it in the visible
church? or in what comparison do you take it?
Let us hear some estimate of it. Some think one
OF SALTATIOK. 209
of a hundred; some but one of a thousand shall
be saved.
Theol. Indeed, I have heard some learned and
godly divines give such conjectures; but for that
matter 1 can say nothing to it; but only let us
observe the comparison of the Holy Ghost be-
twixt a remnant and the sand of the sea, and it
will give some light into the matter.
Phil. Doth not the knowledge of this doctrine
discourage men from seeking after God?
Theol. Xothing less. But rather it ought to
awake us, and stir up in us a greater care of our
salvation, that we may be of the number of
Christ's httle flock, which make an end of their
salvation in fear and trembling.
Phil. Some make light of all these matters;
others say, as for the life to come, that is the least
matter of an hundred to be cared for. As for
that matter, they will leave it xmto God, even as
pleaseth him, they wiU not meddle with it ; for
they say, Gt)d that made them must save them.
They hope they will do as well as others, and
make as good shift as their neighbours,
Theol. It is lamentable that men should be so
careless, and make so light of that which, of all
other things, is most weighty and important;
for it shall not profit a man to win the whole
world, and lose his own soul, as the author of all
wisdom testifieth.
Asun. I pray you, sir, under correction, give
me leave to speak my mind in this point: I am
an ignorant man; pardon me if I speak amiss,
for a fool's bolt is soon shot.
Theol. Say on.
Asun. I do verily think that God is stronger
than the devil; therefore I cannot believe that
p
210 MAEKS AND EVIDENCES
he will suffer the devil to have more than him-
self; he will not take it at his hands; he loveth
mankind better than so.
Theol. You do carnally imagine that God will
wrestle and strive with the devil about the matter.
As for God's power it doth never cross his will;
for God can do nothing against his will and de-
cree, because he will not.
Asun. Yea, but the scripture saith, " God vrill
have all men saved."
Theol. That is not meant of every particular
man, but of all sorts some. Some Jews, some
Gentiles, some rich, some poor, some high, some
low, &c.
Asun. Christ died for all; therefore, all shall
be saved.
Theol. Christ died for all, in the sufficiency of
his death, but not in efficacy unto life; for only
the elect shall be saved by his death; as it is
written, " This is my blood in the new testament,
which is given for you," meaning his disciples
and chosen children. And, again, Christ, being
consecrated, is made " the author of salvation to
all that obey him."
Asun. God is merciful; and, therefore, I hope
he will save the greatest part, for his mercy's sake.
Theol. The greatest part shall perish; but all
that shall be saved shall be saved by his mercy;
as it is written, " He will have mercy on whom
he will have mercy, and whom he will he
hardeneth." And, again, "It is not in him that
"willeth, or in him that runneth, but in God that
sheweth mercy," Rom. ix. 16. Therefore, though
God be infinite in mercy, and Christ infinite in
merit, yet none shall have mercy but only the
vessels of mercy.
OF SAXTATIOX. 211
Antil. Can you tell who shall he saved, and
who shall be damned? Do you know Goti's
secrets? When were you in heaven? When
spake you with God? I am of the mind that
all men shall be saved; for God's mercy is above
all his works. Say you what you will, and what
you can, God did not make us to condemn us.
Theol. You are very peremptory indeed: you
are more bold than wise; for Christ saith few
shall be saved; you say all shall be saved.
Whether, then, shall we believe Christ or you ?
Antil. If there should come two souk, one
from heaven and another from hell, and bring
us certain news how the case stood, then 1 would
beheve it indeed.
Theol. Put case: two souls of the dead should
come — the one from heaven, the other fix>m hell
— I can teU you aforehand, certainly, what they
would say, and what news they would bring.
Antil. What, I pray you?
Theol. They wordd say there be few in heaven
and many in hell — heaven is empty and hell is
full.
Antil. How know you that? how know vou
they would say so?
Theol. I am sure, if they speak the truth,
they must needs say so.
Antil. Must they needs? Why, I pray you,
must they needs r
Theol. Because the word of God saith so;
because Moses and the prophet-s saith so: "If
you win not believe Moses and the prophets,
neither will you believe though one, though two,
though an hundred should rise from the dead."
Antil. Yes, but I would.
Theol. I pray you, let me ask you a question:
212 MAKES AND ETIDENCES
whether do you think that God and his word, or
the souls of dead men, are more to he credited?
Antil. If I were sure that God said so then I
would believe it.
Theol. If his word say so, doth not he say so ?
Is not he and his word all one?
Antil. Yet, for all that, if I might hear God
himself speak it, it would move me much.
Theol. You shew yourself to be a notable
infidel. You will not believe God's word with-
out signs and miracles, and wonders from the
dead.
Antil. Y'^ou speak as though you knew certainly
that hell is full. You do but speak at random;
you cannot tell: you were never there to see.
But for mine own part, I believe there is no hell
at all, but only the hell of a man's conscience.
Theol. Now you shew yourself in kind what
you are. You say you believe no hell at all;
and I think, if you were well examined, you be-
lieve no heaven at all, neither God nor devil.
Antil. Yes; I believe there is an heaven, be-
cause I see it with mine eyes.
Theol. You will believe no more belike than
you see; "but blessed is he that believeth and
seeth not," John xx. 29. You are one of the
rankest atheists that ever I talked withal.
Antil. You ought not to judge; you know not
men's hearts.
Theol. Out of the abundance of the heart the
mouth speaketh. You have sufficiently bewrayed
your heart by your words; for the tongue is
the key of the mind. As forejudging I judge
you only by your fruits, which is lawful; for we
may justly say it is a bad tree which bringeth
forth bad fruit, and he that doth wickedly is a
OF S.\XTATIOy. 213
wicked man ; but it is rou, and such as you are,
that will take upon you to judge men's hearts ; for
though a man's outward actions be religious :md
honest, yet you ^vill condemn him; and, if a
man g^ve himself to the word and prayer, reform-
eth his femUy, and abstaineth from the gross sins
of the world, you wiU by and by say he is an
hypocrite. And thus you take upon you to judge
men's hearts, as though you knew with what af-
fection these things are done.
Antil. 1 confess I am a sinner; and so are all
others for aught I know. There is no man but
he may be amended. I pray Grod send us aU of
his grace, that we may please him, and get to
heaven at last.
Theol. Xow you would shuffle up altogether,
as though you were as good as the best, and as
though there were no difference of sinners; but
you must learn to know that there is great dif-
ference of sinners; for there is the penitent, and
the unpenitent sinner; the careful, and the care-
less sinner; the sinner whose sins are not imputed,
and the sinner whose sins are imputed; the sin-
ner that shall be saved, and the sinner that shall
be damned. For it is one thing to sin of frailty,
another thing to live in it, dwell in it, and trade
in it, (as the Holy Ghost speaketh) to suck it in,
as the fish sucketh water, and to draw it unto us
with cart ropes and and cords of vanity, Isa. v. 18.
To conclude, therefore, there is as great difference
betwixt a sinner and a sinner, as betwixt light and
darkness; for, though God's children be sinners,
in respect of the remnants of sin within them, yet
the scriptures call them just and righteous, be-
cause they are justified by Christ, and sanctified
by his grace and Holy Spirit. And for this cause
214 MAEKS AXD EVIDENCES
it is, that St. John saith, "He that is bom of God
sinneth not," iii. 6-9.
Antil. What, I pray you, did you never sin ?
Theol. Yes, and what then? what are you the
better?
Antil. You preachers cannot agree amongst
yourselves; one saith one thing, and another
saith another thing; so that you bring the igno-
rant people into a mammering;* and they know
not on which hand to take.
Theol. The preachers, God be thanked, agree
very well together in all the main grounds of re-
ligion, and principal points of salvation; but if
they dissent in some other matters, you are to try
the spirits whether they be of God or no ; you
must try all things, and keep that which is good.
Antil. How can plain and simple men try the
spirits and doctrines of the preachers ?
Theol. Yes; for the apostle saith, 1 Cor. ii.
15, "The spiritual man discerneth all things;"
and St. John saith to the holy Christians, ii, 27,
"You have received an ointment from that Holy
One, and know all things," that is, all things
necessary to salvation ; those, therefore, which
have the Spirit of God, can judge and discern of
doctrines, whether tliey be of God or no.
Antil. I am not book-learned, and therefore I
cannot judge of such matters; as for hearing of
sermons, I have no leisure to go to them; I have
somewhat else to do; let them that are bookish,
and hear so many sermons, judge of such matters;
for I will not meddle with them, they belong not
unto me.
Theol. Yet for all that, you ought to read the
Perplexity.
OF SAXTATIOIT. 215
scriptures, and hear the word of God preached,
that you may he able to discern betwixt truth
and falsehood in matters of rehgion.
Antil. Belike you think none can be saved
without preaching; and that all men stand bound
to frequent sermons ; but I am not of your mind
in that.
Theol. Our Lord Jesus saith, " My sheep hear
my voice;" and again, he saith, "He that is of
God, heareth God's words; ye therefore hear
it not, because you are not of God;" you see
therefore how Christ Jesus maketh it a special
note of God's child, to hear his word preached.
Anfil. But I think we may serve God well
enough without a preacher; for preachers are but
men, and what can they do? A preacher is a
good man, so long as he is in the pulpit; but
if he is out of the pulpit, he is but as another
man.
Theol. You speak contemptuously of Gt>d's
messengers, and of God's sacred ordinance; but
the apostle doth fully answer your objection, say-
ing, Eom. X. "Faith cometh by hearing, and
tearing by the word of God; and how can they
hear without a preacher." In which words, the
apostle telleth us flatly, that you can neither have
faith, nor serve God aright, without preaching.
Antil. When you have preached all that you
can, you can make the word of God no better
than it is; and some put in and put out what they
list; the scriptures are but men's inventions, and
they made the scriptures.
Theol. We preach not to make the word better,
but to make you better; as for putting in and
putting out, it is a mere untruth; and whereas
you say the scriptures were made by men, it is
216 MASKS kSJ) ETIDENCES
blasphemy once to think it; and you are worthy
to receive your answer at Tyburn.
Antil. Now I see you are hot: 1 perceive, for
all yoiu' godliness, you will be angry.
Theol. I take it to be no sin to be angry against
sin; for your sin is very great, and who can
bear it?
Antil. All this while you speak much for preach-
ing, but you say nothing for prayer. I think
there is as much need of prayer as preaching;
for I find in the scriptures, "Pray continually,"
but I find not preach continually.
Theol. No man denieth but that prayer is
most needful, always to be joined unto preaching
and all other holy exercises, for it is the hand-
maid to all; but yet we prefer preaching above
it, because preaching is both the director and
whetstone of prayer; yea, it stirreth us aright in
all spiritual actions and services whatsoever,
without the which we can keep no certain course,
but are ever ready to err on this hand, or that.
Now, whereas you say you find "Pray continu-
ally," but not preach continually, you might, if
you were not wilfully blind, find also preach con-
tinually; for the apostle saith, 2 Tim. iv. 2, "Be
instant: preach the word in season, and out of
season :" that is always, as time and occasion
shall serve.
Antil. You extol preaching, but you say
nothing for reading. I beheve you condemn
reading.
Theol. Doth he that highly commendeth gold
condemn silver? 1 do ingenuously confess that
both public and private reading of the scriptures
are very necessary and profitable, and would to
God it were more used than it is; for it is of
OF SALVATION. 217
singvilar use, both to increase knowledge and
judgment, and also to make us more fit to hear
the word preached. For such men as are alto-
gether ignorant of the history of the bible can
hear the word with small profit or comfort.
Phil. It seemeth that this man neither regard-
eth the one nor the other; because, for ought that
I can see, he careth not greatly if the scriptures
were burnt.
Antil. Oh sirrah, you speak very malapartly;
you may speak when you are bidden. Who made
you a judge? You are one of his disciples, and
that makes you to speak on his side.
JPhil. No sir, I hope I am Christ's disciple, and
no man's; but assuredly, I cannot hold my peace
at your vile cavilling, and most blasphemous
speeches.
Antil. I cry your mercy, sir; you seem to be
one of these scripture-men ; you are all of the
Spirit: you are so full of it, that it nmneth out at
your nostrils.
PMl. You do plainly shew yourself to be a
scoffing Ishmaelite.
Antil. And you do plainly shew yourself to be
one of these folk of Crod which know their seats
in heaven.
Phil. I pray God be merciful unto you, and
give you a better heart. For I see you are in the
gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Antil. You think there is none good but such
as yourself, and such as can please your humour.
You will, forsooth, be aU p\ire; but, by God,
there be a company of pure knaves of you,
Theol. Nay, now you do manifestly shew of
what spirit you are ; for you both swear and rail
with one breath.
218 MAEKS AND EVIDENCES
Antil. God forgive me! why did he anger me,
then? There be a company of such controllers
as he in the world, that nobody can be quiet for
them.
Theol. I perceive a little thing will anger you,
since you will be angry with him for speaking
the truth.
Antil. What hath he to do with me? He is
more busy than needs. Why doth he say I am
in a bad case ? I will not come to him to learn
my duty. If I have faults he shall not answer
for them; I shall answer for mine own faults,
and every tub shall stand on his ow^n bottom:
let him meddle with that he hath to do withal.
Theol. You are too impatient; you take matters
at the worst. We ought friendly, and in loye, to
admonish one another; for we must have a care
one of another's salvation. I dare say for him
that he speaketh both of love and compassion
towards you.
Antil. I care not for such love; let him keep
it to himself What doth he think of me ? doth
he suppose that I have not a soul to save as well
as he, or that I have no care of my salvation ?
I would he should know that I have as great
care for my salvation as he, though I make no
such outward shew; for all is not gold that
glistereth. I have as good a meaning as he,
though I cannot utter it.
Theol. These words might well be spared. I
hope you will be pacified, and amend your life,
and draw nearer to God hereafter.
Antil. Truly, sir, you may think of me what
you please; but, I assure you, I have more care
that way than all the world wonders at, I thank
God for it. I say my prayers every night when
or SALTATIOJf. 219
I am in my bed; and if good prayers will do us
no good, God help us. I have always served
Grod duly and truly, and had him in my mind.
I do as I would be done to; I keep my church,
and tend my prayers while I am there; and, I
hope, I am not so bad as this fellow would make
me. I am sure, if 1 be bad, I am not the worst
in the world: there be as bad as I. If I go to
hell, I shall have fellows, and make as good shift
as others,
Theol. You think you have spoken wisely, but
I like not your answer; for your words smell
strongly both of ignorance, pride, and unbelief.
For, first, you justify yourself in your faithless
and ignorant worshipping of God; and. secondly,
you justify yourself by comparison with others,
because others are as bad as you, and you are
not the worst in the world.
Antil. Now I know you speak of ill-will; for
you never had any good opinion of me.
Theol. 1 would I could have as good an opinion
of you as I desire, and that I might see that
wrought in Tou which might draw my love and
liking towards you; and as for ill- will, the Lord
knoweth I bear you none. I desire your conver-
sion and salvation with my whole heart; and
I would think myself happy if I might save
your soul with the loss of my right arm.
Antil. I hope I may repent; for the scriptTire
saith, at what time soever a sinner doth repent,
God will have mercy on him; therefore, if I may
have space and grace, and time to repent before
death, and to ask God foi^veness, and say my
prayers, and cry Grod mercy, I hope I shall do
well enough.
Theol. You speak as though repentance were
220 MAKES AND EVIDENCES OF SALTATION.
in your power, and at your commandment, and
that you can put it into your own heart when you
list ; and that makes you, and many others, pre-
sume of it three hours before death. But you
must know that repentance is the rare gift of God;
and it is given but to a few. For God will know
him well that he bestoweth repentance upon, since
it is proper only to the elect. It is no word
matter. It is not attained without many and fer-
vent prayers, and much hearing, reading, and
meditating in the word of God. It is not so easy
a matter to come by, as the world judgeth. It is
not found but of them that seek it diligently, and
beg it earnestly. It is no ordinary three hours'
matter. Cry God mercy a little, for fashion, will
not do it. Cursory saying of a few prayers a little
before death availeth not; for, though true re-
pentance be never too late, yet late repentance is
seldom true. Herein delays are dangerous; for
the longer we defer it the worse is our case. The
further a nail is driven in with a hammer, the
harder it is to get out again. The longer a disease
is let run, the harder it is to cure. The deeper a
tree is rooted, the harder it is to pluck up again.
The longer we defer the time of our repentance,
the harder it will be to repent ; and therefore it is
dangerous driving it off to the last cast. For an
ancient father saith, (Augustine) "we read but
of one that repented at the last, that no man
should presume : and yet of one, that none might
despair." Well then, to conclude this point, I
would have you to know, that the present time is
always the time of repentance ; for, time past
cannot be recovered, and time to come is uncertain.
PREDESTINATION AND ELECTION.
Antil. Sir, in mine opinion, you have uttered
some very dangerous things, and such as were
enough to drive a man to despair.
Theol. What be they, I pray you ?
Antil. There be divers things; but one thing
doth most of all stick in my stomach, and that
is, the small number that shall be saved, as you
I say: but I can hardly be persuaded that God
made so many thousands to cast them away when
he hath done. Do you think that God hath
t made us to condemn us? will you make him to
I be the author of condemnation ?
Theol. Xothing less; for God is not the cause
of men's condemnation, but themselves; for every
man's destruction cometh of himself; as it is
written, Hosea xiii. 9, "O Israel, thy destruction
is of thyself." As for God, he doth, in great
^ mercy, use all possible means to save souls; as he
Isaith by the prophet, Isaiah v. 4, "What could I
have done more to my vineyard, that I have not
done unto it?" but to come nearer to your
question : I deny that God hath created the most
part of men only and solely unto perdition, as the
proper end which he did aim at in creating them ;
but he hath created all things for the praise of
his glory, as it is written, Prov. xvi. 4, "He hath
I created all things for himself, and the wicked also
for the evil day." Then it foUoweth, that the
cause and end why the wicked were created,
neither was nor is only the destruction of his
creature, but his own praise and glory; that that
only might appear and shine forth in all his works.
222 PREDESTINATION
Yet certain it is, that God, for just causes, albeit
unknown and hid to us, hath rejected a great part
of men. The causes, I say, of reprobation are
hid in the eternal counsel of God, and known to
his godly wisdom only. They are secret and
hid from us ; reserved in his eternal wisdom to be
revealed at the glorious appearing of our Lord
Jesus. His judgments, saith the scriptures, are
as a great deep, and his ways past finding out. It
is as possible for us to comprehend the ocean sea
in a little dish, as to comprehend the reason of
God's counsel in this behalf.
Antil. What reason, justice, or equity is there
that sentence of death should be passed upon men
before they be born, and before they have done
good or evil?
Theol. I told you before that we can never
comprehend the reason of God's proceeding in
this behalf, yet we must know that his will is the
rule of righteousness, and must be unto us instead
of a thousand reasons; for whatsoever God will-
eth, inasmuch as he willeth it, is to be holden
just. We cannot conceive the reason of many
natural things, and things subject to sense, as the
motion of the celestial bodies, their inconceiv-
able swiftness, their matter and substance, their
magnitude, altitude, and latitude. We cannot
thoroughly find out the cause of the thunder,
lightning, winds, earthquakes, ebbing and flowing
of the sea, and many other things under the sun.
How then can we possibly ascend up into the privy
chamber and council-house of God, to sift and
search out the bottom of God's secrets, which no
wit or reach of man can any way attain unto?
Let us therefore learn in God's fear to reverence
that which we cannot in this life comprehend.
A.XD ELECTIOX. 223
This one thing I must say unto you, that what-
soever God decreeth, yet doth he execute no man
till he have ten thousand times deserved it. Foi*
betwixt the decree and the execution thereof,
Cometh sin in us, and most just causes of con-
demnation.
Antil. If God have decreed men's destruction,
what can they do withal? who can resist his will?
why then is he angry with us? For aU things
must needs come to pass according to his decree
Mid determination.
Theol. First, I answer you with the apostle.
Bom. ix. 20, " 0 man, who art thou which plead-
est against God! Shall the thing formed say to
him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus ?
Hath not the potter power of the clay, to make of
the same lump one vessel to honour, and another
to dishonour?" Moreover, I answer, that God's
decree doth not enforce the will of man, but it
worketh and moveth of itself. It hath in itself
the beginning of evil motion, and sinneth will-
ingly. Therefore, though the decree of God im-
poseth a necessity upon all secondary causes, so
as they must needs be framed and disposed accord-
ing to the same, yet no co-action or constraint,
for they are all cairied with their voluntary motion.
Even as we see the pliunb of a clock, being the
first mover, doth cause all the other wheels to
move, but not to move this way or that way, for
in that they move some one way and some another,
it is of themselves — I mean of their own frame.
So God's decree doth move all secondary causes,
but not take away their own proper motion;
for God is the author of every action, but not of
any evil in any action. As the soul of man is
the original cause of all motion in man, as the
224 PEEDESTINATIOK
philosophers dispute, but yet not of lame and im-
potent motion, for that is from another cause, to
wit, some defect in the body; so I say, God's
decree is the root and first cause of motion, but
not of defective motion, that is from ourselves.
Likewise that a bell soundeth, the cause is in him
that ringeth it, but that it jarreth, the cause is in
itself. Again, that a instrument soundeth, is in
him that playeth upon it, but that it jarreth is in
itself, that is in its own want of tuning. So then,
to shut up this point, all instruments and middle
causes are so moved of Grod, being the first mover,
that he always doth well, holily, and justly in his
moving. But the instruments moved are carried
in contrary motions, according to their own na-
ture and frame. If they be good they are carried
unto that which is good, but if they be evil, they
are carried unto evil. So that, according to the
double beginning of motion and will, there is a
double and divers work and effect.
Antil. But from whence cometh it that man
of himself, that is of his own free motion, doth
will that which is evil?
Theol. From the fall of Adam, whereby his will
was corrupted.
Antil. Who was the cause of Adam's fall?
Theol. The devil, and the deprivation of his
own will.
Antil. How could his will incline unto evil, it
being made good, and he being made good?
Theol. He and his will were made good, yet
mutably good ; for to be immutably good is
proper only to God; and Adam did so stand
that he might fall, as the event declared.
Antil. Was not the decree of God the cause of
Adam's fall?
AND ELECTION. 225
Theol. No, but the voluntary inclmation of his
will unto evil. For Adam's will was neither
forced, nor by any violence of God's purpose, com-
pelled to consent; but he, of free wiU and ready
mind, left God and joined with the devil. Thus
then I do determine that Adam sinned necessarily,
if you respect the decree or event, but if you re-
spect the first mover and inherent cause, which
was his own will, then he sinned voluntarily and
contingently; for the decree of God did not
take away his will or the contingency thereof, but
only order and dispose it; therefore, as a learned
writer (Beza) says, " Volens peccavit et motu. He
sinned willingly, and of his own motion." And
therefore no evil is to be attributed imto God, or
his decree.
Antil. How then do you conceive and consider
of the purpose of God in all these things?
Theol. Thus, that God decreed with himself,
uno actu, at once, that there should be a world.
— that Adam should be created perfect — that he
should fall of himself — that all should fall with
him — that he would save some of the lost race —
that he would do it of mercy through his Son —
that he would condemn others for sin.
Antil. But how do you prove the decree of re-
probation? to wit, that God hath determined
the destruction of thousands before the world was.
Theol. The scriptures calleth the reprobates,
Eom. ix. 22, "The vessels of wrath prepared to
destruction." The scriptures saith, 1 Thes. v. 9,
"God hath not appointed us unto wrath;" there-
fore it foUoweth ; that some are appointed unto
wrath. The scriptures saith, 1 Pet. ii. 8, of the
reprobates, "That they were even ordained to
stumble at the word." The scriptures saith,
Q
226 PEBDESTINATIOK
"They were of old ordained to this condemnation,
Jude 4.
Antil. But how do you answer this? "Grod
willeth not the death of a sinner," Ezek, xviii;
therefore he hath predestinated none to destruc-
tion.
Theol. God willeth not the death of a sinner
simply and absolutely, as it is the destruction of
his creature, but as it is a means to declare his
justice and to set forth his glory.
Antil. Grod did foresee and foreknow that the
wicked would perish through their own sin, but
yet he did not predestinate them unto it.
Theol. God's prescience and foreknowledge
cannot be separated from his decree; for what-
soever God hath foreseen and foreknown in his
eternal counsel, he hath determined the same shall
come to pass; for as it appertaineth to his wis-
dom to foreknow and foresee all things, so doth
it appertain to his power to moderate and rule
all things according to his wiU.
Antil. What do you call prescience in God?
Theol. Prescience in God is that whereby all
things abide present before his eyes, so that to his
eternal knowledge nothing is past, nothing to
come, but all things are always present. And so
are they present, that they are not as conceived
imaginations, forms, and motions, but all things
are always so present before God that he doth
behold them in their verity and perfection.
Antil. How can God justly determine of men's
destruction before they have sinned?
Theol. This objection hath been answered in
part before ; for I told you that God condemneth
none but for sin, either originally only, or else
both original and actual; for howsoever he doth
ASB ELECTION. 227
in himself, before all time, determine the reproba-
tion of many, yet he proceedeth to no execution,
till there be found in us both just deserts and
apparent cause. Therefore they deal unsoundly
and foolishly which confound the decree of repro-
bation with damnation itself, since sin is the
cause of the one, and only the will of Grod of the
other.
I*hil. Well, sir, since we are so far proceeded
in this question, by the occasion of this man's
objections and cavils, I pray you now, as you have
spoken much of reprobation and the causes thereof,
so let us hear somewhat of election and the causes
thereof; and sbow us out of the scriptures that
God hath before all worlds chosen some to eter-
nal Ufe.
Theol. Touching the decree of election there
are almost none that make any doubt thereof,
therefore small proof shall serve for this point.
Only I will confirm it by one or two testimonies
out of the holy scriptures. First, the apostle
saith, Ephes. i. 3, 4, "Blessed be God, even the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath bless-
ed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly
things in Christ, as he hath chosen us in him be-
fore the foundation of the world, that we should
be holy and without blame before him in love."
You see the words are very plain and pregnant
for this purpose. Another confirmation is taken
out of the 8th chap, to the Romans, in the 29th
verse, "Those whom he knew before did he also
predestinate to be like to the image of his own
Son, that he might be the first-bom of many
brethren."
Phil. Which be the causes of election?
Theol. The causes of election are to be found
228 PREDESTIKATIOK
only in God himself. For liis eternal election
dependeth neither upon man, neither yet upon
anything that is in man,' but is purposed in
himself, and established in Christ, in whom we
are elected. This is fully proved in these words,
Eph. i. 5, 6, "Who hath predestinated us to be
adopted through Jesus Christ in himself, accord-
ing to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise
of his glory, wherewith he hath made us freely
accepted in his Beloved." Where we see the
apostle telleth us, that his free grace and the good
pleasvire of his will, are the first motives or mov-
ing causes of our election.
Phil. But the papists fetch the first motive of
election out of man's merits and foreseen works;
for, say they, God did forsee who would repent,
believe, and do well, and therefore he made choice
of them.
Theol. But they are greatly deceived. For I
S2ij, again and again, that there was nothing in us
which did ever move God to set his love upon us
and choose us unto life, but he ever found the
original cause in himself; as it is written, Eom. ix.
18, "He will have mercy upon whom he will have
mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth;" and
again, ver. 16, " It is neither in him that willeth,
nor in him that runneth, but in God that sheweth
mercy." The Lord himself, in Deut. vii. 7, also
testifieth that he did choose his people, not for any
respect in them, but only because he loved them;
and bore a special favour unto them. So, then, it
is a certain truth that God's eternal predestination
excludeth all merits of man, and all power of his
will, thereby to attain eternal life; and that his
free mercy and undeserved favour is both the
beginning, the middle, and the end of our salva-
AWD ELECTION. 229
tion: that is to say, all is of him, and nothing
of ourselves.
Phil. Whether then doth faith depend upon
election, or election upon faith? that is, whe-
ther did God choose us because we do believe?
or whether do we believe, because we are chosen ?
Theol. Out of all doubt, both faith and all
finiits of faith do depend upon election. For,
therefore we believe, because we are elected, and
not therefore elected, because we believe; as it
is written, " So many as were ordained to ever-
lasting life believed," Acts xiii. 48.
Antil. If men be predestinate before they be
bom, to what purpose serve all precepts, admo-
nitions, laws, &c.? It forceth not how we live;
for neither our godly or ungodly life can alter
the purpose of God.
Theol. This Ls a very wicked and carnal objec-
tion, and sheweth a vile and dissolute mind in
them that use it. But I would wish such men
to consider the end of our election, which is that
we should lead a godly life; as it is plainly set
down in the first to the Ephesians, where the
apostle saith, ver, 3, 4, " God hath chosen us be-
fore the foundation of the world." But to what
end? that we should live as we list? Xo, no,
saith he, " But that we should be holy and un-
blameable before him in love." Again, he saith,
Rom. viii. 29, " We are predestinate to be made
like the image of his Son;" that is, to be holy and
righteous; for most certain it is that we can
judge nothing of predestination but by the con-
sequents, that is, by our calling, justification,
and sanctification ; for when once we feel the
work of grace within us, that is, that we are
washed by the new birth, and renewed by the
230 PEEDESTHrATIOlT
Holy Ghost, finding in ourselves an unfeigned
hatred of sin, and love of righteousness, then are
we sure, and out of all doubt, that we are predes-
tinated to life; and it is even as much as if Grod
had personally appeared unto us, and whispered
us in the ear, and told us that our names are
taken and written in the book of life: "For,
whom he hath predestinated, them hath he called;
and whom he hath called, them he hath justified;
and whom he hath justified, them he hath glori-
fied," verse 30, Now, therefore, till we feel these
marks of election wrought in us, we can be at no
certainty in this point ; neither are we to take any
notice of it, or middle in it ; but we must strive,
according to that power and faculty we have, to
live honestly and civilly, waiting upon God till
he have mercy on us, and give us the true touch.
As for them that are careless and dissolute, set-
ting all at six and seven, there is small hope that
they are elected, or ever shall be called.
Antil. I think the preaching and publishing of
this doctrine of predestination hath done much
hurt; and it had been good it had never been
known to the people, but utterly concealed ; for
some it driveth to despair, and others it maketh
more secure and cai'eless.
Theol. You are in a great error, for this doc-
trine is a part of God's revealed truth, which he
would have known to his people; and, in good
sooth*, it is of very great and comfortable use ta
the children of God against all the assaults of
the devil, and temptations of desperation whatso-
ever; for, when a man hath once in truth felt,
by the effects, that God hath chosen him to life,
• Truth
jlstd election. 231
then though the devil lie sore at him, and the
conscience of sin and his own frailties most vehe-
mently assault him, yet he knoweth certainly
that the eternal purpose and counsel of God is
immutable; and that because his salvation is not
grounded upon himself, nor his own strength, but
upon the unchangeable decree of Grod, which is a
foundation unmoveable, and always standing sure
and firm; therefore, do the devil and sin what
they can, yet he shall be upheld in righteousness
and truth, and, as it were, bom up in the
arms of God, even to the end; for whom God
loveth, to the end God loveth them. Moreover,
when once the Lord's people perceive, by their
sanctrfication and new birth, both that the Lord
hath rejected and reprobated so many thousand
thousands, and made choice of them to be heirs
of his most glorious kingdom, being in themselves
of the same mould and making that others are,
and that he hath done all this of his free grace
and undeserved mercy towards them, oh how
doth it ravish their hearts with the love of him !
Again, how frankly and cheerfully do they serve
him! how willingly and faithfully do they obey
him! yea, how are they wholly en wrapt and in-
flamed with the desire of him ! for it is the per-
suasion and feeling of God's love toward us that
draweth up our love to him again, as St. John
saith, iv. 19, " We love him, because he hath loved
us first." Moreover, it is said of Mary Magdalene
" That she loved much, because much was for-
given;" for, after she felt her many and great sins
finely pardoned, her affections were kindled with
the love and obedience of Christ. So likewise the
church in the Canticles, after she had been in
the banqueting house of aU spiritual grace, and
232 PBEDESTINATION
felt the banner of Christ's love displayed upon
her, forthwith she was enwrapt therewith, and
cried out, as it were in a swoon, " That she was
sick of love." So again, when Christ put in his
hand by the hole of the door, that is, touched
the very inward parts of her heart, by his
Spirit, then her heart yearned, and her bowels
were affectioned towards him. This is it which St.
Paul prayeth for upon his knees, that it may be
granted to the Ephesians, " That they may be
able to comprehend with all the saints, what is
the breadth and length, heighth and depth of
God's love towards us, and to know the love of
Christ, which passeth knowledge, and to be filled
with all the fulness of the Grod." Thus you then
see the great and comfortable use of this doctrine
of election, both in that it ministereth strength
and comfort against all temptations; as also
because it constraineth us to love God, and of
very love to fear him and obey him.
PJiil. Well, sir, I think now you have spent
time enough in answering the objections and
cavils of Antilegon; in all which I do observe
one thing, that there is no end of cavilling and
objecting against the truth ; and that a man may
object more in an hour than a learned man can
well answer in a day.
TJieol. You say truth; and the reason hereof
is because men have sin in them out of measure,
and the Spirit of God but in measure ; therefore
they can by the one object, and conceive more
against the truth, than by the other they shall
be able to answer and say for it.
PMl. It appcareth, indeed, that errors be infi-
nite, and objections innumerable, and that there
is no end of men's cavilling against God's sacred
AISD ELECTION. 233
truth. It is good for us, therefore, to be thoroughly
settled in the truth, that we be not entangled or
snarled with any cavils, or sophistications what-
soever; but I do verily think, notwithstanding
all his objections and exceptions, that he doth in
his conscience desire, with Balaam, to die the
death of the righteous, and to be as one of them
whom he seemeth to despise.
TTieol. I am so persuaded too; for this is the
triumph that virtue hath over vice, that, where
she is most hated, there she is often desired and
wished for. And this is the great pvmishment
that Grodbringeth upon the wicked, "Virtutem ut
tnd^antjintabegcantque relicta," as saith the poet,
" That they shall see virtue and pine away, having
no power to follow it."
HINDIIANCES IN THE WAY OP MAITS
SALVATION.
Phil. Now let us return to the point we were
in hand with before we feU into these objections
and cavils, which was concerning the small
number of them which shall be saved; and as
you have shewed us many reasons thereof, so pro-
ceed to speak yet more unto that point.
Theol. As I have shewed you of sundry lets,
both within us and without us, which do keep us
back from God, and hold us fast in our sins; so
now, imto all that hath been said before, I
will add nine great hindrances unto eternal Hfe,
which may not unfitly be termed nine bars out
of heaven, and nine gates into heU.
Phil. Which be they?
234 HINDEAKCES IN THE WAT
Theol. They be these: — infidelity — ^presump-
tion of God's mercy — example of the multitude
— long custom of sin — long escaping of punish-
ment— hope of long life — conceitedness — ill-
company — evil example of ministers.
Phil. These, indeed, be strong bars out of
heaven, and vfide gates into hell. I pray you,
therefore, prove them out of the scriptures, and
lay them forth somewhat more largely.
Theol. The first, which is infidehty, is proved
out of the fourth chapter to the Hebrews, where
it is written, " Unto us was the gospel preached,
as unto them ; but the word which they heard
profited them not, because it was not mixed with
faith in those that heard it;" and again, " They
could not enter in, because of unbelief." Here
we see that unbelief did bar out the old people
from entering into the land of promise, which
was a figure of God's eternal kingdom; and sure
it is that the same unbelief doth bar out thousands
of us; for many will believe nothing but their
own fancies; they will not believe the word of
God, especially when it is contrary to their lusts
and likings, profits and pleasures. Though things
be manifestly proved to their faces, and both the
chapter and the verse shewed them, yet they will
not believe; or though they say they beheve, yet
will they never go about the practice of anything,
but reply against God in all their actions; and,
for the most part, when God saith one thing
they will say another; when God saith yea, they
will say nay; and so give God the lie. Some
again will say, if all be true that the preachers
say, then God help us. Thus you see how infi-
delity doth bar men out of heaven, and cast them
into hell.
OF MAK's SALTATIOir. 235
Phil. Let U8 hear of the second gate, which
is presumption of God's mercy.
Theol. This is set dowTi in the twenty-ninth
chapter of Deuteronomy, where the Lord saith
thus, "When a man heareth the words of this
curse, and yet flattereth himself in his heart, say-
ing, I shall have peace, although I walk accord-
ing to the stubbornness of mine own heart (thus
adding drunkenness to thirst, that is, one sin to
another,) the Lord will not be merciful unto him,
but the wrath of the Lord and his jealousy shall
smoke against that man; and every curse that is
written in this book shall light upon him, and
the Lord shall put out his name from under
heaven." Here we see how the mighty God doth
thunder down upon such as go on in their sins,
presuming of his mercy, and saying in their hearts,
if I may have but a "Lord have mercy upon me,"
three hours before death I care not. But it is
just with God, when those three hours come, to
shut them up in blindness and hardness of heart,
as a just plague for their presumption; there-
fore the prophet David, seeing the grievousness
of this sin, prayeth to be delivered from it,
" Keep me, 0 Lord, (saith he) from presumptuous
sins; let them not reign over me," Psalm lix.
Let all men, therefore, take heed of presumptuous
sins : for though God be full of mercy, yet will he
shew no mercy to them that presume of his
mercy; but they shall once know, to their cost,
that justice goeth from him as well as mercy.
Phil. Let us come to the third gate, which is
the example of the multitude.
Theol. This is proved in the twenty-third
chapter of Exodus, ver. 2, where the Lord saith
flatly, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do
236 HINDBANCES IN THE WAT
evil." In another place, the Lord saith, Levit.
xviii. 3, "After the doings of the land of Egypt,
wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do ; and after the
manner of the land of Canaan, whither I will
bring you, shall ye not do, neither walk in their
ordinances." Against this law did the children
of Israel offend when they said, in the stubborn-
ness of their heart, to the prophet Jeremiah, xliv.
16, 17, "The word that thou hast spoken unto us
in the name of the Lord we shall not hear. But
we will do whatsoever goeth out of our own
mouth; and we will do as we have done, both we
and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the
cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem."
Note here how they do altogether refuse the word
of the Lord, and how to follow the example of the
multitude. We see, in these our days, by lamen-
table experience, how thousands are violently car-
ried down this stream, and for defence of it some
will say, "Do as the most men do, and the fewest
will speak of you;" which is a very wicked speech,
for if we will follow the course of the most we
shall have the reward of the most, which is eter-
nal perdition. Let us, therefore, take heed of
bending with the sway ; for the sway of the world
doth weigh down all things that can be spoken
out of the word of God, and openeth a very wide
passage into hell.
Pliil. Proceed to the fourth gate into hell, which
is the long custom of sin.
Theol. This is noted by the prophet Jeremiali
to be a very dangerous thing; for he saith, xiii.
23, " Can the black Moor change his skin, or the
leopard his spots? then may ye also do good,
which are accustomed to do evil:" noting there-
by that it is as hard a matter to leave an old
or MA2f's SALTATION. 237
custom of sin as to wash a black Moor white, or
to change the spots of a leopard, which, because
they are natural, are most impossible: so, when
men through custom have made swearing, lying,
adultery, and drunkenness, as it were natural
unto them, oh how hard it is to leave them! for
custom maketh another nature, and taketh away
all sense and feehng of sin.
Phil. Let us hear of the fifth gate, which is
the long escaping of punishment.
Theol. This is avouched by the wise man in
these words, Eccles, viii. 11, "Because sentence
against an evil work is not executed speedily,
therefore the hearts of the children of men are set
in them to do evil;" where he sheweth that one
cause why men are so hardened in their sins is
because God winketh at them, and letteth them
alone, not punishing them immediately after they
have sinned; for if God should forthwith strike
down one, and rain fire and brimstone upon ano-
ther, and cause the earth to swallow up the third,
then men would fear indeed. But it hath been
shewed before that God taketh not that course ;
but though he meet with some in this life, yet he
lets thousands escape; and that makes them more
bold, thinking they shall never come to their
answer ; even as an old thief, which hath a
long time escaped both prison and gallows, thinks
he shall always so escape, and therefore goeth
boldly on in Ms thefts. But let men take heed;
for, as the proverb saith, "Though the pitcher
goeth long to the well, yet at last it cometh broken
home;" so, though men escape long, yet they
shall not escape always; for there will come a
day of reckoning, a day that will pay it home for
all. Thus you see how impunity leadeth num-
238 HTNDEANCES IN THE WA.T
bers to destruction; that is, when men are let
alone, and neither smitten by the hand of God
nor punished by the law of the magistrate.
Phil. Let us come to the sixth gate, which is
the hope of long life.
Theol. This is affirmed by our Lord Jesus con-
cerning that rich worldling who, when he felt
the world come in upon him with full stream, said
he would pull down his barns and build greater,
and say to his soul, "Soul, thou hast much goods
laid up for many years. Live at ease, eat, drink,
and take thy pastime," Luke xii. 19. But our
Saviour calleth him fool, for flattering himself in
security, and promising unto himself long life.
Moreover, he plainly told him that the same night
he should make a miserable end in helL Note,
I pray you, how Jesus Christ, the fountain of all
wisdom, calleth this man a fool, and yieldeth a
reason thereof, to wit because he gathered riches
to himself, and was not rich in God: he had great
care of this life, and none at all for that which is
to come. So then, it followeth that all such are
right fools indeed, and may be chronicled for fools,
how wise soever they may be taken and reputed
in the world, which have much care for their
bodies, and none for their souls: great care for
this life, and little for that which is to come.
Well, let all such profane worldlings as dream
and dote of long life, and therefore defer the
day of their repentance and conversion unto
God, take heed by this man's example that they
reckon not without their host, and be sud-
denly snatched away in the midst of all their
pleasures and gaities: as Job saith, xxi. 23, 24,
"Some die in their full strength, being in all
ease and prosperity ; their breasts run full of milk,
or man's SAiTATioir. 239
and their bones run full of marrow;" we see,
therefore, how dangerous a thing it is for men to
flatter and sooth up themselves with hope of long
life.
I*hil. Proceed to the seventh gate, which is
conceitedness.
Theol. This is, indeed, a very broad gate into
hell ; for the scripture saith, " Seest thou a man
wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of
a fool than of such a one." And again, " The
fool is wiser in his own eyes, than seven men
that can give a sensible reason," Prov. xxvi.
12, 16. The Holy Ghost, we see, affirmeth that
such as are puffed up with an overweening* of
their own gifts are farthest of all others from the
kingdom of heaven; for they despise the wis-
dom of God to their own destruction. They
hold scorn to be taught; they will say they
know as much as all the preachers can tell them;
for, what can all the preachers say more than
this? we are all sinners — we must be saved by
Christ — we must do as we would be done to.
There is no more but do well, and have well, &c.
Alas! poor souls, they look aloft; they are des-
perately hoven up with conceitedness, not know-
ing that they are poor, naked, blind, and miser-
able, Eev. iii. 17. These men trust altogether to
their own wit, learning, policy, riches, and great
reputation in the world ; and because all men
crouch to them, and clap their hands at them,
therefore they swell like turkey cocks, set up
their feathers, and draw their wings upon the
ground, with a kind of snuff and disdain of all
men, as if they were the only wightsf of the
* High canceit. f Feisons.
240 HINDBANCES IN THE WAT
world. Moreover, when men do praise them for
their gifts, sooth them, and applauded unto them,
then is it a wonder to see how they streak* them-
selves, as though they would forthwith take their
flight and mount up into the clouds. But let all
insolent and conceited men hearken unto the
woe that is pronounced against them, by the
eternal King of glory, saying, " "Woe unto them
that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in
their own sight," Isa. v. 21. Again, let them
hearken to the counsel of God, which saith,
"Trust unto the Lord with all thy heart, but lean
not unto thine own wisdom. Be not wise in
thine own eyes; but fear God and depart from
evO," Prov. iii. 5. These silly conceited fools
think that because they have the cast of this life,
and can cunningly compass the things of this
world, and go through stitch with them, there-
fore they can compass heaven also by their fine
wits and deep devices ; but, alas ! poor wretches,
they are greatly and grossly deceived; " For
the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God;
and he catcheth the wise in their own craftiness,"
1 Cor. iii. 19. And again the Lord saith, "I will
destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will cast
away the understanding of the prudent," 1 Cor.
i. 19. Let not these men, therefore, stand too
much in their own light: let them not trust to
their own policies; for they are all but as an
ice of one night's freezing, which will deceive them
that trust unto it. Let them, therefore, become
fools themselves, that God may make them wise.
Let them deny themselves, that God may ac-
knowledge them ; let them be humbled in them-
* stretch themselves up.
OF man's salvation. 241
selves, that God may exalt them. For assuredly,
there is no use after this life, of the exquisite wis-
dom of the flesh; it aU endeth when we end.
For how dieth the wise man ? even as dieth the
fool, saith the Holy Ghost, Eccles. ii. 16; and
where all worldly wisdom endeth, there all heavenlv
Ansdom beginneth. Thus, therefore, we see what
a wide gate into hell conceitedness is, and how
many enter in thereat,
Phil. Now, let us xmderstand of the eighth gate
into hell, which is ill company.
Theol. The Spirit of God, forseeing the great
danger of this, and knowing how ready we are
to be carried away with iU company, doth give
us most earnest warning to take heed of it as a
most dangerous thing. " Enter not (saith he)
in the way of the wicked; and walk not in the
way of evil men. Avoid it, go not by it, turn
from it, and pass by," Prov. iv. 14, 15. The
reason hereof is yielded in another place, where
it is said, " A companion of fools shall be de-
stroyed," xiii. 20. Let men, therefore, take
heed of ill company; for many thereby have
been brought to the gallows, and have confessed
upon the ladder that Ul company hath brought
them unto it, and therefore have admonished all
by their example to take heed, and beware of,
lewd company. Moreover, the scriptures saith,
"He that foUoweth vain companions shall be fiUed
with poverty," Prov. xxviii. 19; and again, in
the same chapter, "He that keepeth company with
banqueters, shameth his father." Let us, there-
fore, with David say, "I am a companion of all
them that fear God and keep his commandments,"
Psalm cxix. 63. And, on the contrary, let us say
with him, "I have not haunted with vain persons.
242 HINDBANCES IN THE WAT
neither kept company with the dissemblers. I
hate the assembly of the evil, and have not com-
panied with the wicked," Psalm xxvi, 4. Let us,
therefore, by David's example, shun the company
of the wicked; for as a man is so is his company.
It is the surest note to discern a man by ; for, as
all unlike things are unsociable, so all like things
are sociable. Herein let us beware we deceive
not ourselves with vain words, and an opinion of
our own strength ; as if we were as strong as Christ,
and could not be drawn away with any company.
No, no; we are more apt to be drawn than to
draw : to be drawn to evil by others, than to draw
others to good; therefore, God saith by his pro-
phet, Jeremiah, xv. 19, "Let them return unto
thee, but return not thou unto them." Un-
doubtedly, he is an odd man that is not made
worse with ill company, For can a man touch
pitch and not be defiled therewith? Can a man
carry coals in his bosom and not be bvirnt?
Daily and lamentable experience sheweth that
many of them which think themselves strong, are
this way most grievously smutted.* Let a man
think, therefore, he never abandoneth evil, till he
abandon ill company; for no good is concluded
in this parliament; for ill company is the suburbs
of hell. Furthermore, it is to be observed that
some, upon admonitions and some inward com-
punctions of their own conscience, do leave their
sins until they have new provocations, and until
they come amongst their old copesmatesf and
sin companions; and then are they carried back
again to their old bias, and return to their folly
as a dog returneth to liis vomit. For we see
* Corrupted, disgraced. + Wild companions.
OF man's saltation. 243
some, which otherwise are of good natures and
dispositions, most pitifully and violently carried
away with ill company; for even as green wood
of itself is unapt to burn, yet being laid on the
fire with a great deal of sear* wood, it burneth
as fast as the rest; so many toward youths,
which of themselves are not so prone unto evil as
others, yet with this violent stream and blustering
tempest of 01 company, are carried clean away.
Phil. Let us come to the last gate, which is
the evil example of ministers.
Theol. It grieveth me, and I am almost
ashamed to speak of this point; for is it not a
woful and lamentable thing that any such should
be found amongst the sons of Levi? Is it not a
corsey,t that the ministers of Christ should be of
a scandalous conversation? for if the eye be
dark, how great is the darkness? If they be ex-
amples of all evil to the flock, which should be
patterns, lights, and examples of all goodness,
must it not needs strengthen the hands of the
wicked, so as they cannot return from their
wickedness? But this is an old disease and evil
sickness which hath always been in the church.
The prophet Jeremiah doth most grievously com-
plain of it in his time, and saith, xxiii. l4, that
"from the prophets of Jerusalem is wickedness
gone forth into all the land; for both the prophet
and the priest do wickedly. I have seen, (saith
he) in the prophets of Jerusalem, filthiness ; they
commit adiiltery, and walk in lies; they strengthen
also the hands of the wicked, that none can re-
turn from his wickedness; they are all unto me
as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gromor-
* Dry wood.
f A fretting burning plaster to a sore — a painful grievance.
244 HINDRANCES IN THE WAT
rah." And in the ninth verse of the same chap-
ter, he shevveth that it was no pleasure or joy
unto him so pubHcly to reprove them; but that
he did it with exceeding grief, as being forced
thereunto, both in regard of God's glory, and the
good of his church. His words are these, "Mine
heart breaketh within me, because of the prophets;
and all my bones shake." Moreover, in the same
chapter is set down how the Lord would feed
them with wormwood, and make them drink the
water of gall, and sundry other ways plague them
for their flatteries, seducements, corrupt doctrine,
and evil example of life.
I'hil. Most certain it is that the evil example
of ministers, and especiallj'^ of preachers, is yer}^
dangerous and offensive: for thereby thousands
are hardened in their sins. For men will say,
such a minister and such a preacher doth thus
and thus, and therefore, why may not we do so
too? They are learned, and know the word of
God; therefore, if it were evil, I hope they
would not do it; for they should be lights to
us, and give us good examples ; therefore, since
they do such things, we cannot tell what to think,
or what to say to the matter: the}'' bring such
simple folks as we are into a mammering.*
Theol. Oh that I could, with the prophet
Jeremiah, quake and shake to think of these
matters! Oh that I could mourn as a dove, in
penning of it! Oh that I had in the wilderness
a cottage, and could with Job be a brother to the
dragons, and a companion to the ostriches,
whilst I have any thoughts of those things! Oh
that I could weep and mourn without sin, before
* Perplexity.
OF man's saltation. 245
I yield you an answer. For weep indeed I
may, but answer 1 cannot. Alas, with much
grief 1 speak it, all is too true that you say:
and herein the people have a vantage against us,
if I may call it vantage. But let this be mine
answer, " If the blind lead the blind, both shall
fall into the dit<»h," Matt. xv. 14. Blind guide?
and blind people, shall perish together. If
because we are wicked they \vill be more wicked,
then both they and we shall bum in hell-fire
together. Then, let them reckon their gains and
see what they have got. They have small cause
so to triumph over us; for thereby their market
is never a whit amended: let them take this for
answer. And let us that are the ministers of
Christ, and preachers of the gospel, look narrow;ly
to ourselves, and make straight steps to our feet;
for, if we tread never so little awry, we may see
how many eyes are upon us. Let us, therefore,
with David pray continually, " Order my goings,
O Lord, that my footsteps slip not. For when
my foot slipped, they rejoiced against me." And
as for the people, let them follow the example
of those which walk unblameably, as God be
thanked, some such there be, and let them fly the
examples of such as are offensive. So shall God
have more glory, and they more peace in their
own hearts. Thus have we heard what a wide
gate is opened into heU by the evil example of
ministers, and especially of preachers.
THE SIN AND DANGER OF IGNORANCE :
WITH THE VAST IMPORTANCE OF THE GOSPEL
MINISTRY AS A REMEDY.
Phil. Well, since there be so many bars out of
heaven and so many gates into hell, it is a very
hard matter to break through all these bars, and
so to enter into life; and as hard a matter to miss
all these gates and escape hell. He quits him
well that can do it.
Theol. True indeed; and as hard a thing as
this is, so hard a thing is it for flesh and blood
to enter into the kingdom of heaven; and yet
most men make light of it, and think it is the
easiest matter of an hundred.
Asun. As hard as it is, yet I hope by the grace
of God I shall be one of them that shall enter
in; for, so long as 1 do as I would be done to,
and say nobody no harm, nor do nobody no harm,
God will have mercy on my soul. And I doubt
not but my good deeds shall weigh against my
evU deeds, and that I shall make even with God
at my latter end ; for, I thank God for it, I have
alwaj'^s lived in his fear, and served him with a
true intent; therefore I know that so long as I
keep his commandments, and live as my neigh-
dours do, and as a Christian man ought to do, he
will not damn my soul.
Theol. Can you then keep God's command-
ments ?
Asun. As near as God will give me grace.
Theol. Nay, but I ask you whether you keep
them or no?
IGSOBA-XCE or THB LAW. 247
Asun. I do say, to keep them as near as I can,
I do my true intent. Though I keep them not
all, yet I am sure I keep some of them.
Theol. Because you say you keep some of
them, I pray you let me be so bold with you as
to examine you in the particulars. You know
the first commandment is this, " Thou shalt have
none other gods in my sight." How say you, do
vou keep this ?
Asun. I am out of all fear of it; for I never
worshipped any God but one. I am fully per-
suaded there is but one God.
Theol. What say you to the second command-
ment? "Thou shadt make to thyself no graven
image," &c.
Asun. I never worshipped any images in my
life: I defy them. I know they cannot help me,
for they be but stocks and stones.
Theol. What say you to the third command-
ment ? which is this, " Thou shalt not take the
name of the Lord thy God in vain," &c.
Asun. Nay certainly, I was never counted a
swearer in my life, but I have feared God always
of a child, and have had a good faith in him ever
since I could remember. I would be sorry else.
Theol. What say you then to the fourth com-
mandment ? " Remember that thou keep holy the
Sabbath-day," &c.
Asun. Nay, for that matter, I keep my church
as well as any man in the parish where I dwell,
and mind my prayers as well when I am there.
I thank God for it, though I say it myself, I have
been always well given, and have loved Gt)d's
word with all my heart; and it doth me good to
hear the epistles and gospels read every Sunday
by our vicar.
2i8 IGNORANCE or THE LiW.
Theol. Tell me, what say you to the fifth com-
mandment? which is, "Honour thy father and
thy mother," &c. do you keep this?
Asun. I have always loved and oheyed my
father and mother from my heart; I hope there is
nobody can accuse me for that, and I am sure if
I keep any commandment it is this; for when I
was a boy every body said that I was well given,
and a toward child; therefore, if I should not
keep this commandment, it would be a great grief
to me, and go as near my heart as any thing that
came to me this seven years.
Theol. What say you to the sixth command-
ment? "Thou shalt not kill."
Asun. It were strange if I should not keep
that.
Theol. What say you to the seventh? "Thou
shalt not commit adultery."
Asun. I thank God for it, I was never given
to women; Grod hath always kept me from that,
and I hope will so still.
Theol. What say you to the eighth? "Thou
shalt not steal."
Asun. I am neither whorem aster nor thief.
Theol. What say you to the ninth? "Thou
shalt not bear false witness," &c.
Asv/n. 1 defy all false witness-bearing from my
heart.
Theol. What say you to the last? "Thou shalt
not covet," &c.
Asun. I thank Grod for it, I never coveted any
man's goods but mine own.
Theol. Now, I perceive you are a wonderful
man; you can keep all the commandments. You
are like that blind ruler which said unto Christ,
Matt. xix. 20, "All these things have I kept from
IGNOKA.IICE OF THE LAW. 249
my youth." I perceive now, indeed, that it is no
marvel though you make so light of preaching,
for you have no need of it : you are whole, you
need not the physician; you feel no misery, and
therefore you care not for mercy; for where
misery is not felt, there mercy is not regarded;
but I see you need no Saviour.
Asun. You say not well in that: I need a
Saviour, and it is my Lord Jesus that must save
me, for he made me.
Theol. What! need you a Saviour since you are
no sinner?
Asun. Yes, believe me, I am a sinner; we are
all sinners; there is no man but he sinneth.
Theol. How can you be a sinner since you keep
all the commandments?
Asun. Yes, I am a sinner for all that.
Theol. Can you both be a sinner and be with-
out sin too? for he that keepeth the command-
ments is without sin! which thing you say you
do. But I see how the case standeth, that a great
number of such ignorant and sottish men as you
are will in general say you are sinners, because
your conscience telleth you so; but when it cometh
to particulars, you know not how you sin, nor
wherein. I pray you, therefore, let me lead you
through the commandments again, and deal with
you in particulars, that I may bring you to the
sight of your sin. How say you, therefore, do you
upon your knees, every morning and evening, give
God thanks for his particular mercies, and mani-
fold favours towards you? And do you call much
upon him privately, and much also with yoiu-
family? Answer me, plainly and simply.
Asun. I cannot say so.
Theol. Then you have broken the first com-
250 THE SPIEITTJALTTT
mandment, which ehargeth us to give God his
due worship, whereof prayer and thanksgiving
are a part; so then, here, at the very entrance,
you are found guilty. Further, I demand of you
whether you never had any by-thoughts in your
prayers, and your heart hath not been upon
other matters, even then while you were in
prayer.
Asun. I cannot deny that: for it is a very hard
matter to pray without by-thoughts.
Theol. Then, by your own confession, you have
broken the second commandment, which doth com-
mand the right manner of Grod's worship; that is,
that as we must worship God, so we must do it
in faith, love, zeal, and pure aifections. So that
here you are guilty also, because when you pray
your mind is of other matters, and you do it not
in sincerity and truth. Further, I demand of you
whether you did never swear by your faith, or
truth, or by our lady, St. Mary, and such other
oaths ?
Asun. Yes, by St. Mary have I — I must needs
confess it.
Theol. We need no further witness. Your
very answer proveth it, for your answer is an oath ;
therefore, here also you are guilty, because you
swear by idols. Further, I demand of you
whether you did never travel to fairs on the Sab-
bath-day, or make bargains on that day, or take
journeys, or talk of worldly matters, neglecting
holy duties?
Asun. Yes, God forgive me, I have.
Theol. Then you are guilty of the breach of
the fourth commandment, which ehargeth us, on
pain of death, to spend the Sabbath-day in holy
and religious duties, both publicly and privately.
or THE COMMA-ITDMEKTS. 251
Further, I demand whether you instract your
wife, children, and servants in the true knowledge
of God, and pray with them or no?
Asun. I am sure you would have me speak
the truth ; I must needs confess I do not, neither
am I able to do it.
. Theol. Then you are guilty of the breach of
the fifth commandment, which commandeth all
duties of superiors to inferiors, and of inferiors
towards their superiors, whereof prayer and in-
structions are apart. Moreover, I demand whether
you were never angry or no?
Asun. Yes, an hundred times in my days.
And I think there is nobody but will be angry at
one time or other, especially when they have
cause.
Theol. Then you have broken the sixth com-
mandment, which chargeth us to avoid wrath,
anger, mahce, desire of revenge, and all such like
forerunners unto murder. Further, I ask you
whether you did never look upon a woman with
a lust in your heart?
Asnn. Yes, for I think there is no man free
from thoughts that way. I had thought thoughts
had been free.
Theol. No, thoughts are not free before Crod;
for God knoweth our thoughts, and will punish
us, arraign us, and condemn us for thoughts.
Men know not thoughts, and therefore can make
no laws against thoughts; but because God is
privy to all our most secret thoughts, therefore
he hath made laws against them, and will con-
demn them. Therefore, I conclude that if you
have nourished adulterous thoughts in your heart
you are guilty of the breach of the seventh com-
mandment, which forbiddeth all secret thoughts
252 SIN -VKD BATTGEU
and provocations whatsoever to adultery. But
further, I demand whether you did never pilfer,
purloin, and steal some small things from your
neighbour: as pasture, poultry, conies, apples,
and such like?
Asuii. I cannot clear myself in these things,
for I had thought they had been no sin.
TJieol. Then have you broken the eighth com-
mandment, and stand guilty of eternal death;
for God in his commandment chargeth us to
liave as great care of our neighbour's goods as of
our own ; and not to injure him in any manner of
way, in thought, word, or deed; therefore, all
deceit, pilfering, oppressing, and all unjust dealing
with our neighbour's goods, is here condemned.
Moreover, let me ask you whether you did never
lie, or dissemble?
Asun. Yes, assuredly.
Theol. Then you have broken the ninth com-
mandment, wherein Grod chargeth us, both in
witness-bearing and all other matters, to speak
the plain truth from our heart, without lying or
dissembling. Last of all, I demand whether you
did never in your heart desire something that was
not your own: as your neighbour's house, or
ground, kine, or sheep, &e. therein bewraying
the discontentment of yom* heart?
Asun. 1 am as guilty in this as in any thing,
for, God forgive me, I have often desired and
lusted after this and that, which was none of mine
own, and so have bewrayed my discontentment.
Theol. Then I perceive, by your own confes-
sion, that you are guilty of the breach of all the
commandments.
Asun. I must needs confess it; for I see now
more into that matter than ever I did. I never
OF IGjrORASCE. 253
heard so much before in my life, nor was ever
asked any such questions as you ask me. I had
thought many of those things which you asked
me had been no sins at all.
Theol. I could have convicted you in a thou-
sand other particulars, wherein you do daily and
hourly break the law of God. But my purpose
was only to give you a taste of some particular
transgressions, and therewithal some little hght
by the way into the meaning of the law, that
thereby you might be brought to some better sight
of yourself, and might a Httle perceive in what
case you stand before God ; and by that httle con-
ceive a great deal more.
Asun. Well, now I do plainly see that I have
been deceived, and am not in so good estate
before God as I thought I had been. Moreover,
I see that thousands are out of the way which
think they are in a good case before God;
whereas, indeed, they are in blindness and in their
sins. But, Lord have mercy upon us, I do now
plainly see that I am far from keeping the com-
mandments; and I think no man doth keep
them.
Theol. You may take your oath of that, I war-
rant you; for neither Saint Paul, David, or the
Virgin Mary, could ever keep any one of the
commandments. I am glad you begin to see into
the law of God, and to have some taste that way ;
for, as a man's knowledge and insight is into the
law, so is the knowledge and insight into himself.
He that hath a deep insight into the law of God,
hath also a deep insight into himself. He that
hath no sight into the law, can have no insight
into himself; for the law is that glass wherein
we do behold the face of our souls before God.
254 SIN AND DANGEE
The apostle saith, Rom. iii. 20, "By the law
Cometh the knowledge of sin;" therefore, those
which are altogether ignorant of the law, and
never behold themselves in this glass, do commit
an hundred sins a day, which they know not of;
and therefore are not grieved for them; for how
can a man be grieved for that which he knoweth
not ? but now further, I pray you, give me leave
to ask you some more questions of the principles
of religion, to the end that you, knowing and
feeling yom- ignorance, may be humbled therewith,
bewail it in time, and seek after the true know-
ledge of God. But yet, by the way, I will ask
Antilegon a question or two; because I desire
to understand what knowledge he hath in the
grounds of religion. Tell me, therefore, Anti-
legon, what was the reason why Christ was con-
ceived by the Holy Grhost?
Antil. I could answer you, but I will not;
what authority have you to examine me? shew
your commission; when I see your warrant 1 will
answer you; in the meantime you have nothing
to do to examine me; meddle with that you have
to do withal.
Theol. I perceive you are not only ignorant,
but wilful and obstinate, and refuse all instruc-
tions ; therefore I will leave you to God, and to
your galled conscience ; but, I pray you, Asunetus,
answer that question: what think you, what is
the reason that Christ was conceived by the'
Holy Ghost?
Asun. Believe me, sir, that is an hard question ;
you may ask a wise man that question, for I can-
not ansv/er it.
Theol. What say you then to this, who was
Christ's mother?
OF IGNOBAJfCE. 255
Asun. Mary, sir ; that was our blessed ladv.
Theol. What was Pontius Pilate?
Asun. I am somewhat ignorant, I am not
book-learned; but if you will have my simple
opinion, I think it was the devil; for none but
the devil would put our sweet Saviour to death.
Theol. What is the holy catholic church,
which you say j'ou do believe ?
Asun. The communion of saints, the forgive-
ness of sins.
Theol. What do you pray for when you say
"thy kingdom come?"
Asun. I do pray that God would send us all of
his grace, that we may serve him, and do as we
ought to do, and keep us in a good mind to Grod-
ward, and to have him much in our mind; for
some, Grod bless us, have nothing but the devil
in their mind: they do nothing in God's name.
Theol. What is a Sacrament?
Asun. The Lord's Supper.
Theol. How many sacraments be there?
Asun. Two.
Theol. Which be they?
Asun. Bread and wine,
Theol. What is the principle end of your com-
ing to receive the sacrament ?
Asun. To receive my Maker.
Theol. What is the principal use of a sacra-
ment?
Asun. The body and blood of Christ.
Theol. What profit and comfort have you by a
sacrament ?
Asun. In token that Christ died for us,
Theol. I can but pity you for your ignorance;
for it is exceeding gross and palpable. Your
answers are to no purpose, and bewray a wonder-
256 SIN AKD DAJfGEK
ful blindness and senselessness in matters of reli-
gion. I am sorry that now I have not time and
leisure to let you see your folly and extreme igno-
rance, as also to lay open unto you the sense and
meaning of the articles of the faith, the Lord's
prayer, and the sacraments, and all the other
grounds of Christian religion.
Asun. What course would you wish me to take,
that I may come out of ignorance, and attain unto
the true knowledge of God?
Theol. Surely I would wish you to be diligent
in hearing of sermons, and reading the scriptures,
with prayer and humility. Also, that you would
peruse catechisms, and other good books; and
especially Virel's Grounds of E-eligion, and works
of the two worthy servants of God, Master Gyffard
and Master Perkins, and other men's that have
done great service to the church, and for whom
thousands are bound to give God thanks. If you
take this course, you shall by God's grace, within
a short time, grow to some good measure of know-
ledge, in all the main grounds of Christian religion.
Phil. I had not thought any man had been so
ignorant as I now perceive this man is.
Theol. Yes, verily ; there be thousands in his
case; and I do know by experience that many
^■^'ill use the very same answers, or at least very
little differing.
Phil. I warrant you if you had questioned
with him of kine, or sheep, purchasing of lands,
taking of leases, or any other matter under the
sun, you should have found him very ripe and
ready in his answers. •
Theol. I am so persuaded too ; for let a man
taEi with worldly men of worldly matters, and
their answer is never to seek. They will talk
OP IGKOBAirCE. 257
very fireshly with you of such matters, if it be all
the day long; for they have a deep insight into
earthly things, and do wholly delight to talk of
them, being never weary; for it is their joy
their, meat, and their drink. But come once to
talk with them of Grod's matters, as of faith, re-
pentance, regeneration, &c., you shall find them
the veriest dullards and dunces in the world;
for, when speech is had of these things, they are
so befogged* that they cannot tell where they
sue, nor what they say.
PhU. In my judgment, such men's case is very
pitiful and dangerous. And so is this man's case
also, if Grod do not very speedily pull him out of it.
Theol. Questionless; for (xod saith, Hosea
iv. 6, " My people perish for want of knowledge."
Our Lord Jesus saith that ignorance is the cause
of all errors: " Ye do err, saith he, not knowing
the scripture, nor the power of God," Matt. xxii.
29. The apostle saith that ignorance doth alien-
ate us from the life of God; for, saith he, "The
Gentiles were darkened in the cogitation, being
strangers from the life of God, through the igno-
rance that is in them," Eph. iv. 18. So then, it
is clear that ignorance is not the mother of devo-
tion, as the papists do avouch; but it is the mother
of error, death, and destruction, as the scriptures
afBrmeth. Our Lord, forseeing the great danger
of ignorance, how thereby thousands are carried
headlong into hell, doth admonish all men to
search the scriptures, John v. 39, which do tes-
tify of him; that so they might get out of the
most dangerous gulf of ignorance, wherein multi-
tudes are implunged. "flierefore, the noble men
* Lost,set&st.
s
258 SIN AND DANGEE
of Berea are commended by the Holy Ghost,
Acts xvii. 11, because they received the word with
all readiness; and searched the scriptures daily,
whether those things were so. Oh therefore,
that men would earnestly seek after the know-
ledge of G-od in time, and, as the prophet saith,
" Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon
him whilst he is near," Isa. Iv. 6.
Phil. I do see that all ignorance in matters of
faith is dangerous; but I think wilful ignorance
is of all others most dangerous.
TTieol. Wilful ignorance, no doubt, is a plain
prognostication, and demonstrative argument of
eternal death; for it is a most horrible and fear-
ful thing for men to refuse instructions, despise
counsels, harden their hearts, stop their ears, and
close up their eyes against God. This is the very
upshot of our decay.
Phil. I pray you, what call you hardness of
heart?
Theol. An hard heart is that which is neither
moved with God's mercies, nor scared with his
judgments; neither feareth the law, nor regardeth
the gospel; neither is holpen by threatenings, nor
softened by chastenings; which is unthankful for
God's benefits, and disobedient to his counsels;
made cniel by his rods, and dissolute by his
favours; unshameful to filthiness, and fearless to
perils; uncourteous to men and retchless* to God;
forgetful of things past, negligent in things pres-
ent, and improvident in things to come.
Phil. Lay forth yet more plainly the state of
ignorant and hard-hearted men; and shew how
lamentable it is.
* Careless, hardened.
OF leKOBAKCE. 259
Theol. If a man be outwardly blind we do pit j
him, and say, there goeth a poor blind man; but
if he be both blind and deaf, do we not more pity
him? and say, oh, in how miserable a case is that
man! but if he be both blind, deaf, and dumb, do
we not most of all pity him? and say, oh, that
man is in a most woful taking, and in a most
pitifiil plight! How much more then are they
to be pitied, which, as concerning their souls, are
both blind, deaf, and dumb? for the diseases of
the soul are far more dangerous, and more to be
pitied than those of the body. Would it not
pity a man's heart to see a poor sheep in a lion's
mouth, whilst he teareth him, renteth him, and
puUeth him in pieces? Even such is the case of
ignorant men in the claws of the devil; for the
devil hath them under him, rideth them at his
pleasure, and teareth their souls in pieces! Oh,
that we had eyes to see these things, hearts to
feel them, and affections to be thoroughly moved
with them, even unto mourning and tears.
Phil. Few do think that ignorant men are in
so woful case as you speak of; for they think that
ignorance will excuse them ; and some will say
they are glad they have so little knowledge; for
if they should have much knowledge of their
master's will, and do it not, they shall be beaten
with many stripes; but now, being ignorant, they
think all is safe.
Theol. God willed his people to offer sacrifice
for their sins of ignorance, Levit. iv; therefore,
ignorance is a sin, and excuseth no man: and
as for the state of their souls before God, it is
most miserable; if we could see into their souls
as we see their bodies; for, assuredly, there be
multitudes which ruffle it out in velvets and silks,
260 THE VAST IMPOETANCE OF THE
and most brave and glittering outsides, but in-
wardly are full of filthiness and sin; they bave
fine and delicate bodies, but most ugly, black, and
filthy souls. If a man could see into their souls
as he doth into their bodies, he would stop his
nose at the stink of them ; for they smell rank of
sin in the nostrils of God, his angels, and all
good men.
Phil. Then I perceive by your speech that the
case of all ignorant and profane men is fearful in
the sight of God, and that all good men are to
pity them, and pray for them.
Tlieol. If two blind and deaf men should walk
in a beaten path that leadeth to a great deep
pond wherein they are like to be drowned, if they
go forward, and two men afar off should whoop
unto them, and will then not go forward least they
be drowned; yet they jieither seeing any man, nor
hearing any man, go forward and are drowned:
were not this a lamentable spectacle to behold?
Even so it is with all the ignorant, blind, and deaf
souls of the world: for they cast no perils, but
walk on boldly to destruction; and though the
preachers of the gospel whoop never so loud unto
them, or give them never so many warnings and
caveats to take heed; yet they, being inwardly
blind, see nothing ; and spiritually deaf, hear no-
thing; and therefore go on forward in their sins
and ignorance, till they suddenly fall into the pit
of hell. Put case also, two great armies should'
pitch in a field, and fight a main battle upon a
plain, and that some man should stand upon the
top of a mountain hard by, and behold all, and
should see with his own eyes how thousands and
ten thousands went to wreck, and fell down on
every side as thick as hail, the whole plain swim-
GOSPEL illNISTBT. 261
ming in blood; and should also hear the groanings
of soldiers wounded, and the doleful sighs and
groanings of many captains and colonels giving
up the ghost ; were not this a most wofui spec-
tacle? Even so, when we do clearly see Satan
wound and murder thousand thousands souls, is
it not a far more tragical and lamentable sight ?
and ought it not even to kill our hearts to behold
it? but, alas! men have no eyes to see into these
things; and yet certain it is, that Satan doth
continually, and in most fearful manner, massacre
innumerable souls. Thus have I shewed you the
woful estate of profane and ignorant men.
Phil. If it be so, you that be ministers and
preachers of the gospel, and have taken upon you
the cure and charge of souls, have need to look
about you, and to do what in you heth to save
souls ; and, as good shepherds, in great pity and
compassion, to labour to pull them out of the paws
of this roaring lion, which goeth about continually
seeking whom he may devour.
Theol. It standeth upon us, indeed, very seri-
ously and carefully to look to it, as we will answer
it at the dreadful day of judgment; for it is no
small matter that we have taken in hand, which
is, to care for the flock which Christ hath bought
with his blood. Would to God therefore that we
would leave striving about other matters, and
strive together all about this — who can pull most
out of the kingdom of Satan, sin, and ignorance —
who can win most souls — and who can perform
best service to the church. This were a good
strife indeed, — and would to Grod that we might
once at last with joined forces go about it, and
with one heart and hand, join together to build
up Grod's house. If through our own follies the
262 THE VAST IMPOETANCE OF THE
work hath been hindered, or any breach made, let
us in wisdom and love labour to make it up again.
If there hath been any declining and coldness, let
us now at last revive: let us stir up ourselves,
that we may stir up others. Let us be zealous
and fervent in spirit, that we may through God's
grace put life into others, and rouse up this dead,
declining, and cold age wherein we live: so shall
God be glorified, his church edified, his saints
comforted, his people saved, his throne erected,
and the kingdom of the devil overthrown.
Phil. What think you w^ere the best course to
effect this which you speak of?
Theol. This is a thing that must be exceed-
ingly laboured in of us which are the ministers
and preachers of the gospel. And here is required
diligence and, as we say, double dihgence; for
the people are every where ignorant. Some are
stones, altogether incapable of instruction: others
are froward and wilful. Some will receive the
doctrine, but not the practice: some again are
altogether set upon peevishness and cavilling. So
that a man were better take upon him the charge
of keeping wolves and bears than the charge of
souls ; for it is the hardest thing in the world,
to reform men's disorders, and to bring them into
order; to pull men's souls out of the kingdom of
Satan, and to bring them to God. It is as we say,
an endless piece of work, an infinite toil, a labour
of all labours: I quake to think of it. Tor,
men are so obstinate and irrefragable that they
will be brought into no order : they will come under
no yoke. They will not ruled by God, nor bridled
by his word. They will follow their own swing.
They will run after their own lusts and pleasures.
They will kick and spurn if they be reproved.
GOSPEL MINTSTET. 263
They will rage and storm if you go about to curb
them, and restrain them of their wills, likings,
and liberties. They will have their wills, and
follow their old fasluons, say what you will, and
do what you can. Is it not, think you, a busy
piece of work, to smooth and square such timber
logs, so full of knots and knobs? Is it not a
tedious and irksome thing to think upon? and
would it not kill a man's heart to go about it?
for, how hard a thing is it to bring such into
frame as are so far out of frame !
Phil. Well sir, you can but do your endeavour,
and commit the success to Grod. You can but
plant and water: let God give the increase. You
are ministers of the letter, but not of the Spirit.
You baptize with water, but not with the Holy
Ghost. If you therefore preach diligently, exhort,
admonish, and reprove, publicly and privately:
studying by all good example of life, and seeking
with all good zeal, care, and conscience, to do the
uttermost that in you lieth, to reduce them from
their evil ways; I take it, you are dischai^ed,
though they remain stubborn and incorrigible;
for you know, what the Lord saith by his prophet,
"K you do admonish them and give them warn-
ing, then you shall be discharged, and their blood
shall be required at their own hands," Ezek.
xxxiii.
Tlieol. You have spoken the truth ; and, there-
fore, since some must needs take upon them this
so great a charge, it will be our best course to
labour much with them in catechising and private
instructions, and that in most familiar and plain
manner, for much good hath been done, and is
done this way. The ignorant sort must be much
laboured upon this way: and so, no doubt, much
204 THE VAST IMPOETANCE OE THE
good may be done; "For, in all labour there is
profit," Prov. xiv. 23. Herein, we that are the
ministers of Christ must be content to be abased,
and to teach the poor ignorant people in most
plain manner, asking them many easy questions,
and often questioning with them in most plain
and loving manner, till we have brought them to
some taste and smack of the principles of the
Christian religion. We must not be ashamed to
use repetitions and tautologies, and tell them one
thing twenty times over and over again ; here a
line, and there a line; here a little, and there a
little; precept upon precept, as the prophet speak-
eth, Isa. xxviii. 10. I know right well nothing
goeth more against the stomach of a scholar, and
him that is learned indeed, than to do thus. It is
as irksome and tedious as to teach ABC: some
can, at no hand, endure it. But truly, truly, I
find now, after long experience, that if we wUl do
any good to these simple and ignorant souls, we
must enter into this course, and we may not be
ashamed of it; for, it wiU be our crown and our
glory to win souls, howsoever we be abased. Let
us, therefore, be well content to stoop down, that
Christ may be exalted. Let us be abased, that
God may be honoured. Let us do all things in
great love to Christ, who hath said, "If thou
lovest me, feed, feed, feed my flock," John xxi.
15-17. Let us, therefore, testify our love to him
by feeding his flock. Let us do all things in great
love and deep compassion towards the poor souls
that go astray. As it is said that our Lord
Jesus was moved to pity, and his bowels did yearn,
to see the people as slxeep without a shepherd;
let it likewise move us thoroughly, and make
our hearts to bleed, to see so many poor sheep of
QOSFEI/ MIinSTBT. 265
Christ wandering and straying in the mountains,
and wilderness of this world, caught in every
bramble, and hanged in every bush, ready to be
devoured of the wolf. Thus have I shewed you,
what course, in my judgment, is best to be
taken, for the delivering of poor ignorant souls
out of the captivity of Satan and sin.
FhU. Now, as you have declared what course
is best to be followed of your part, which are the
ministers and preachers of the gospel; so I pray
you shew what is best to be done of us, which
are the people of God.
Theol. The best counsel that I can give you, if
it were for my hfe, is to be much exercised in the
word of God, both in the hearing, reading, and
meditation thereof; and also to purchase unto
yourself the sincere ministry of the gospel, and to
make conscience to live under it, esteeming your-
self happy if you have it, though you want other
things ; and unhappy if you have it not, though
you have all other things. For it is a peerless
pearl, an incomparable jewel; for the purchasing
whereof, we are advised by our Lord Jesus to sell
aU that we have, rather than to go without it,
Mat. xiii. 44. Again, our Saviour Christ giveth the
same counsel to the church of Laodicea, in these
words, " I counsel thee, to buy of me gold tried
by the fire, that thou may est be rich: and white
raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that
thy filthy nakedness do not appear; and anoint
thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see,"
Rev. iii. 18; where you see the word of God is
compared to most precious gold, whereby we are
made spiritually rich; and to glittering attire,
wherewithal our naked souls are clothed; and to
an eye-salve, wherewith our spiritual blindness is
266 THE TAST IMPOETANCE OF THE
cured. We are advertised also by Jesus Christ,
whose counsel is ever the best, that we should
buy these things, whatsoever they cost us. The
same counsel also giveth wise Solomon, saying,
" Buy the truth, but sell it not," Prov. xxiii. 23.
So then you see, the counsel wliich herein I give
you is not mine own, but the counsel of Jesus
himself, and Solomon the wise; and who can, or
who dare, except against their counsel?
Asun. Is your meaning that men must of ne-
cessity frequent preaching of the word? will not
bare reading serve the turn ?
Theol. I told you before that reading is good,
profitable, and necessary, but yet it is not sufficient.
We must not content ourselves with that only;
but we must go further, and get unto ourselves
the sound preaching of the gospel, as the chiefest
and most principal means which God hath or-
dained and sanctified for the saving of men; as
it is plainly set down, 1 Cor. i. 21, " When as
the world, by wisdom, knew not God, in the wis-
dom of God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of
preaching, to save them that believe." The mean-
ing of it is that — when as men, neither by natural
wisdom, nor the contemplation of the creatures,
could sufficiently attain to the true knowledge of
God — the Lord, according to his heavenly and in-
finite wisdom, thought of another course; which
is to save men by preaching, which the world
counteth foolishness. And by the way, note that'
the preaching of the word is not a thing of human
invention; but it is God's own device, and came
first out of his wisdom as the best and nearest way
to save men's souls. Wise Solomon, also, in the
book of the Proverbs, xxix. 18, telleth us that the
preaching of God's word, which is called vision,
GOSPEL MDnSTET. 267
using the word of the prophets, which called their
sermons visions, is not a thing that may be spared,
or that we may be at choice whether we have it
or no; but he maketh it to be of absolute necessity
unto eternal life; for he saith, "Where vision
faileth, the people are left naked." So indeed, it
is in the original; but the old translation giveth
us the sense, thus, "Where the word of God is not
preached there the people perish." Then you see
that Solomon striketh it dead, in telling us that
all they which are without preaching of the word
are in exceeding danger of losing their souls. Oh
that men could be persuaded of this! Saint Paul
also saith that faith cometh by hearing the word
preached; for he saith, Rom. x. 14, "How can they
hear, without a preacher?" If faith come by
hearing the word preached, then I reason thus — no
preaching, no faith; no faith, no Christ; no Christ,
no eternal life, for eternal hfe is only iu him.
Let us then put them together, thus: take away
the word, take away faith; take away faith, take
away Christ; take away Christ, and take away
eternal life. So then it followeth, take away the
word and take away eternal life. Or we may read
them backward, thus : if we will have heaven, we
must have Christ ; if we wUl have Christ, we must
have faith; if we will have faith, we must have
the word preached. Then it followeth thus : if we
will have heaven, we must have the word preached.
Then I conclude, that preaching generally, and
for the most part, is of absolute necessity unto
eternal life; as meat is of absolute necessity for
the preservation of our bodies; as grass and fodder
are of absolute necessity for the upholding of the
life of beasts; and water of absolute necessity for
the life of fishes. Then, this being so, men are
268 THE VAST IMPORTANCE OF THE
with great care and conscience to hear the gospel
preached, to frequent sermons, to resort much to
Grod's house and habitation, where his honour
dwelleth; with David to say, Psalm xxvii. 4,
"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that 1 will
require: even that I may dwell in the house of
the Lord, all the days of my life; to behold the
beauty of the Lord, and to visit his holy temple."
"With godly Mary to say, Luke x. 42, "One thing
is necessary; and so choose the better part."
With the poor cripple of Bethesda, John v. 7,
to wait for the moving of the waters by the angel,
that his impotency may be cured: 1 mean that
we should tie ourselves to the first moving of the
spiritual waters of life, by the preachers of the
gospel, that our spiritual impotency may be
holpen and relieved. For the ministry of the
gospel is that golden pipe whereby and where,
through the goodness of God, all the sweetness
of Christ, and all heavenly graces whatsoever are
derived unto us. Which thing was shadowed
in the law by the pomegranates in the skirts of
Aaron's garments, and the golden bells between
them round about: that is "a golden bell and
a pomegranate; a golden bell and a pomegra-
nate," Exod. xxviii. 34. The golden bells did
signify the preaching of the gospel, and the pome-
granates the sweet savour of Christ's death ; not-
ing thereby, that the sweet savour of Christ's
death, and all the benefits of his passion, should
be spread abroad by the preaching of the gospel.
Thus you see, that if ever men purpose to be saved,
they must make more account of the preaching of
the gospel than they have done; and not think,
as most men do, that they may be without it,
and yet do well enough. And some had as leave
GOSPEL MUnSTKY. 269
be without it as have it; for it doth but disqtiiet
them, and trouble their consciences ; but woe be
unto such.
Phil. Tet we see, where tfie word is soundly
preached there be many bad people; and the
reasons thereof, in mine opinion, are two; the
one, that God taketh his Holy Spirit from many
in hearing the word, so that their hearing is made
unfruitful; the other, that the devil hath an hun-
dred devices to hinder the effectual working of the
word, so as it shall do no good at all, nor take
any effect in multitudes of men. But you, master
Theologus, can better lay open this matter than I.
I pray you therefore speak something of it.
Theol. The sleights of Satan, in this behalf, are
more and more sly than I. or any man else, can
possibly discover. For wJio is able to descry, or
in sufficient manner, to lay open the deep subtU-
ties, and most secret and sinful suggestions of the
devil in the hearts of men: he is so cunning a
craftmaster this way that none can perfectly
trace him. His workings, in the hearts of men,
are with such close and hid deceits, and most
methodical and crafty conveyances, that none can
sufficiently find them out; but yet, notwithstand-
ing, I will bewray so much as I know, or can
conceive of his dealings with men that hear the
word, that he may steal it out of their hearts, and
make it fruitless and unprofitable. First of aU,
he bestirreth him and laboureth hard to keep men
fest asleep in their sins, that they may have no
care at all of their salvation; and therefore dis-
suadeth them from hearing, or reading the word
at all, lest they should be awaked. If this will
not prevail, but that they must needs hear, then
his craft is to make their hearing unprofitable,
270 THE VAST IMPOETANCE OE THE
by sleepiness, dulness, by thoughts, conceited-
ness, and a thousand such like. If this will not
serve the turn, but that the word doth get within
them, and work upon them, so as thereby they
grow to some knowledge and understanding of the
truth, then he practiseth another way, which is,
to make them rest themselves upon their bare
knowledge, and so become altogether conscience-
less. If this will not suffice, but that men faU to
doing, and leave some sins, especially the gross
sins of the world, and do some good, then he
persuadeth them to trust to those doings without
Christ, and to think themselves well enough,
because they do some good, and leave some evil.
If this be not enough, but that men attain unto
the true justifj'ing faith which apprehendeth
Christ, and resteth upon his merits, then he de-
viseth how to blemish the beauty of their faith,
and weaken their comfort, through many frailties
and wants, yea, gross downfalls, and rank evils:
so as they shall be but spotted and leprous Chris-
tians. If this weapon will not work, but that
Christians do join all good virtues with their faith,
and abundantly shine forth in all fruits of right-
eousness,then he casteth about another way: which
is, to daunt and damp them with discouragements:
as poverty, necessity, sickness, reproaches, con-
tempts, persecutions, &c. If none of all these will
do the deed, but that men constantly believe in
Christ, and patiently and joyfully endure all afflic-'
tions, then his last refuge is to blow them up
with gunpowder: that is to puff them up with a
pride of their gifts, graces, and strength, and so
to give them an utter overthrow whilst they do
not walk humbly, and give God the praise of his
gifts. Thus have you a little taste of Satan's
GOSPEL MIHISTBT. 271
cunning, in making the word iinfruitfol amongst
us.
Asun. I pray you, good sir, seeing I am igno-
rant and unlearned, give me some particular
directions out of the word of God, for the good
guiding and ordering of my particular actions, in
such sorts as that I may glorify Grod in the earth,
and after this life be glonfied of him for ever.
Theol. It were an infinite thing to enter into
all particulars; but briefly do this: first, seek Grod
earnestly in his word; pray much; in all things
give thanks; eschew evU, and do good; fear Grod,
and keep his commandments; reform yoinself,
and your household; love virtue, and virtuous
men; keep company with the godly, and avoid
the society of the wicked. Live soberly, justly,
and holUy, in the present evil world. Speak al-
ways graciously, and beware of filthy communi-
cations. Recompense to no man evil for evil;
but recompense evil with good. Be courteous and
pitiful towards all men. Take heed of swearing,
cursing, and banning.* Beware of anger, wrath,
and bitterness. Praise your friend openly; re-
prove him secretly. Speak no evil of them that
are absent, nor of the dead. Speak evil of no
man; speak always the best, or at least, not the
worst. B^verence God's name, and keep his Sab-
baths. Avoid all the signs of condemnation, and
labour after all the signs of salvation. Above all
things, take heed of sin, for that is the very cut-
throat of the soul, and bane of all goodness.
Tremble therefore, and sin not. For if you sin,
mark what followeth — God seeth — his angels
bear witness — the conscience pricketh — death
* CnrsiBg, biaating.
272 THE VAST IMPOETANCE OF THE
threateneth — the devil accuseth — hell devour-
eth. You see then that sin is no scarecrow, or
jesting matter. Every sin that a man committeth
is as a thorn thrust deep into the soul, which will
not be got out again but with many a sigh, and
many a sorrowful — oh, oh! " Every sin is written
with a pen of iron: and the point of a diamond
upon the conscience," Jer. xvii. 1; and shall in
the last day, when the books shall be opened, ac-
cuse us, and give in evidence against us. If a man
commit sin with pleasure, the pleasure passeth
away, but the conscience and sting of the sin
abideth, and tormenteth deadly ; but if a man do
well, though with labour and painfulness, the pain
passeth away, yet the conscience of weU-doing re-
maineth with much comfort; but the best end of
sin is always repentance, if not in this life, then
with woe, and alas! when it is too late: therefore
take heed in time; take heed, I say, of sin. Sin
hardeneth the heart, Heb. iii. 13; sin gnaweth
the conscience, 1 Sam. xxv. 31; sin fighteth
against the soul, 1 Peter ii. 11; sin bringeth
forth death, James i. 15; sin maketh ashamed,
Eom. vi. 21; sin procureth all plagues of body
and soul, Deut. xxviii. Behold, therefore, the
evil effects of sin: for this cause, Zophar, the
Naamathite, speaketh very wisely to Job, saying,
xi. 15, " When thou shalt lift thy face out of thy
sin, thou shalt be strong, and shall not fear; thou
shalt forget all sorrow; thou shalt remember it
as the waters that are past;" where Zophar
plainly sheweth that the avoiding of sin is our
strength, and the committing of it our weakening;
according to that of Solomon, Prov. x. 29, "The
way of the Lord is the strength of the upright
man." Therefore, walk in the way of God, and
GOSPEL MrSISTBT. 273
take heed of the ways of sin; for God punisheth
every sin his way; some one way, and some
another; and no sin can escape unpmiished; for
because God is just, therefore he must needs
punish sin in all men, though in divers manners:
as the wicked, in their own persons ; the godly,
in Christ. Beware of it, therefore, and flatter not
yourself in your sins. Remember how every dis-
obedience and every transgression hath had a just
recompence of reward. God hath, in all ages,
matched the causes with the effect; that is, sin
with the punishment of sin. The Israelites, for
breaking the first commandment, in making other
gods, were often smitten by the hand of God.
Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, for the
breach of the second commandment, in offering
strange fire upon God's altar, were consumed with
fire. He that blasphemed and transgressed the
third commandment, was stoned to death. He
that brake the fourth commandment, in gathering
sticks upon the Sabbath, was likewise stoned.
Absalom, transgressing the fifth commandment,
was hanged in his own hair. Cain, transgressing
the sixth, in slaying his brother Abel, was branded
with the mark of God's wrath. Shechem, the
son of Hamor, transgressing the seventh, in de-
filing Dinah the daughter of Jacob, was slain by
Simeon and Levi, the sons of Jacob. Achan, sin-
ning against the eighth commandment, in steal-
ing the wedge of gold, and the Babylonish gar-
ment, was stoned to death. Ananias and Sapphira,
sinning against the ninth commandment, in lying
and dissembling, were suddenly smitten with
death. Ahab, transgressing the tenth command-
ment, in coveting and discontentment, was de-
voured of dogs. Or if you will have original sin
T
27-i THE VAST IMPOETAKCE OF THE
therein only forbidden, then infants are therefore
punished with death, Rom. v. 14. Thus we see
there is no dallying with Grod ; but if we sin, we
are as sure to be jerked* for it, as the coat is on
our back. Therefore Itt us not deceive ourselves
nor make light of sin ; for sin is no scarecrow, and
we shall one day find it so. And howsoever we
make light of some sins, yet, in every deed, all
sin is odious in the sight of Grod, yea all sin is
heinous and capital, in this respect, that it is
against a person of infinite being; it is against
God himself; it is against the highest majesty.
For the greatness of the person offended doth
enhance and increase the greatness of the sin: as
for example, if a man rail at a justice of peace,
he shall be stocked; if he rail at one of his ma-
jesty's privy council, he shall be imprisoned; but
if he rail at his own majesty, he shall be hanged.
So then, you see how a sin is increased by the
dignity of the person offended. Now then, since
all mortal princes are but dust in the sight of
Grod, and he is a person of infinite and incom-
parable majesty, how heinous and how flagitious
a thing is it, in any wise, or after any sort to sin
against his most roj'al and sacred person! Well
then, to grow to some conclusion, this I do advise
you; as to shun all vice, so to embrace all virtue;
as to put of the old man, so to put on the new
man. Remember, often and always, what shall
become of you after this life, and where you shall
be forty years hence — in hell or in heaven. Look
well to that in time; and therefore so live that
you may live always. Consider often in your
secret cogitations what you have been; what you
* Lashed, or sharply cliccked. + Set in the stocks.
GOSPEL MUriSTBT. 275
are; what you shall be; what God hath done for
you; what he doth; what he will do; Gx)d's
judgments past; God's judgments present; Grod's
judgments to come. Awake at last; and take
care for your salvation. Sleep no longer in sin,
lest ye perish eternally ; for, verily, there is a re-
ward for the righteous; doubtless, there is a God
that judgeth the earth. And this is the best
counsel that I can give you.
Asun. Your counsel is very good. I pray
God give me grace to follow it; and so to
live that I may please God, and go to heaven
in the end.
Theol. You must take heed you speak not these
words of course, and for fashion's sake, having
no settled purpose in your heart to follow these
directions. For there be numbers that can skill
to give good words, but they wiU do nothing.
They think they highly please God with their
good words, and that Grod will take them for pay-
ment; as though God regarded words. They
would fain go to heaven, but they wiU take no
pains, they will leave no sins, they will not for^o
their lusts and pleasures: they would have the
reward of God's children, but they will not do
the works of God's children; they would have the
sweet, but none of the sour; they would have the
crown, but they will fight never a stroke; they
would fain come to Canaan, but they are loth to
travel that long and dangerous way, which leadeth
unto it. Therefore, these men, being the sons of
idleness, will stop short in the end, of that they
looked for; for the Spirit saith, Prov. xiii. 4,
" The sluggard lusteth, but his soul hath nought."
We must therefore leave bare words, and come to
deeds; for our Lord Jesus saith, Matt. vii. 21,
276 THE YAST IMPOETAIfCE Or THE
"Not every one that saith Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the
will of my Father which is in heaven;" where
we see Christ, in plain terms, doth exclude out of
his kingdom all those whose religion consisteth
only in good words and smooth speeches, but make
no conscience to practise the commandments of
God. David, having made some good prepara-
tion for tlie building of the temple, and perceiving
liis son Solomon to have stuff and provision enough
to perfect and finish it, doth most wisely encourage
him to the work, in these words: "Up, and be
doing, and the Lord shall be with thee," 1 Chron.
xxii. 16. Oh that men would follow this counsel
of David! that they would up, and be doing ; and
not sit still, and do nothing: that they would
leave words and countenances, and set upon the
practice of God's law; and study, with all care and
conscience, to be obedient to his will. Then, as-
suredly, God would be with them, and bless them ;
and much good would come of it; for the scrip-
tures saith, Prov. xiv. 23, "In all labour there is
profit, or increase, but the talk of the lips only
bringeth want."
Phil. Most men's minds are so wholly drowned
in the love of this world, that they have no heart
to obey God, nor any delight in his command-
ments.
Theol. The greatest part of men are like unto
the Gadarenes, which esteemed their swine more
than Christ. As we see in these our days, how
many make more account of their kine and sheep
than of the most glorious gospel of Christ ! They
highly esteem dung, and contemn pearls. They
are careful for trifles, and regard not the things
of greatest moment ; and, therefore, may very
GOSPEL MINISTRY. 277
fitly be compared to a man who, having his wife
and children very sick, doth utterly neglect them,
and is alt(^ther careful for the curing of his
hogs.
CHRIST'S COMING TO JUDGMENT.
Phil. We have somewhat digressed from the
matter we had in hand: I pray you, therefore, if
you have any more matter of good counsel to
give unto Asunetus, that you would presently
dehver it.
Theol. I have little more to say, save only I
would advise him often to remember, and much
to muse, of these nine things: — The evil he hath
committed — the good he hath omitted — the
time he hath mis-spent — the shortness of this
life — the vanity of this world — the excellency
of the world to come — death, than which nothing
is more terrible — the day of judgment, than
which nothing is more fearful — heU-fire, than
which nothing is more intolerable.
Phil. This is short and sweet indeed: you have
touched some of these points before in these our
conferences ; but I am very desirous to hear some-
what more of the two last, which yet have not
been touched.
Theol. Since you are desirous, I will briefly
deliver unto you that which I have ■ received
from the Lord. First, concerning the day of
judgment, I find in the volume of God's book
that it shall be very terrible and dreadful, for
" The Son of Man shall come in the clouds of
heaven, with power and great glory," Matt. xxiv.
Z/» CHRIST S COMIKG TO JUDGMENT.
30. St. Peter saith, 2 Epis. iii. 10, " Tlie day
of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night,
in the which the heavens shall pass away with a
noise, the elements shall melt with heat, and the
earth, with the works that are therein, shall be
burnt up." The apostle telleth us that at the
coming- of Christ all the whole world shall be
of a light fire; and that all castles, towers, goodly
buildings, gold, silver, velvet, silks, and all the
glittering hue, glory, and beauty of this world
shall be consumed to powder and ashes; for he
saith plainly, " The heavens and the earth which
are now, are reserved unto fire, against the day
of judgment, and of the destruction of ungodly
men," ver. 7. Moreover, he doth strongly prove,
that as the world was once destroyed by water,
so the second time, in the end thereof, it shall be
destroyed by fire. The apostle Paul doth witness
the same thing; for he saith, 2 Thess. i. 7,
" Christ shall come from heaven, with all his
mighty angels, in flaming fire." And in another
place, 1 Thess. iv. 16, he noteth the terror of his
coming to judgment, saying, " He shall come
with a shout, with the voice of the archangel,
and the trumpet of God." We see, by exper-
ience, that the coming of mortal princes to
any place, is with great pomp and glory, They
have great trains and troops behind them and
before them. They are accompanied with
many nobles; gallant lords and goodly ladies
do attend upon them. The sword-bearer, trum-
peters, and harbingers go before; many flaunting
and stately personages follow after. Now then,
if the coming of mortal princes be so pompous
and glorious, how much more glorious shall the
coming of the Son of Man be, in whose sight all
CHBIST's coming to JUDOiLEKT. 279
mortal princes are but dust ? The scriptures do
affirm that his second coming unto judgment,
shall be with such resplendent and unspeakable
glory, that even the most excellent creatures shall
blush at it; for " The sun shall be darkened; the
moon shall not give her light ; and the stars shall
fall from heaven," Matt. xxiv. 29; meaning
thereby, that the most glorious and bright-shin-
ing creatures sball be clouded and obscured by
the unconceivable brightness of Christ's coming.
Moreover, is noted imto us the error of Christ's
coming in this, that immediately before it the
very sea shall quake and tremble, and in his kind
cry out; for it is said, Luke xxi. 25, 26, "That
the sea shall roar, and make a noise in most dole-
ful and lugubrious manner, and men's hearts shall
fail them for fear, and for looking after those
things which shall come on the world; for the
powers of heaven shall be shaken." Oh what
shall becom e of swearers, dnmkards, whoremongers,
and such like, in that day ! they shall seek to creep
into an auger-hole, to hide their heads; they shall
then cry woe and alas, that ever they were bom !
they shall wish that they never had been bom, or
that their mother had bom them toads. And,
as it is said in the Apocalypse, " They shall say
to the mountains and rocks fall on us, and hide
us from the presence of him that sitteth on the
throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb ; for the
great day of his wrath is come, and who can
stand?" Rev. vi. 16, 17. We see, therefore, that
the coming of Christ shall not be base and con-
temptible, as in his first visitation; but it shall
be most terrible, princely, and glorious. And as
the scriptures do affirm that his coming shall be
with great terror and dread, so also they do shew
280 cheist's coming to judgment.
that it shall be very sudden and unlock ed for; for
" The day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the
night," 1 Pet. iii. 10; "As the travail that cometh
upon a w^oman," 1 Thess. v. 2, 3 ; " As a snare shall
it come on all them that dwell on the face of the
earth," Luke xxi. 35: that is, it shall suddenly
catch and entangle all men, wheresoever they be
in the world. As the earthquake, which was some
twenty years ago, did suddenly take the world
tardy, they not thinking of any such matter; so
shall the coming of the Son of Man to judgment
take the world tardy and unprepared; for few
there be that think of any such matter. Since,
therefore, the second appearance of Christ shall be
with such suddenness, let us fear and tremble; for
all sudden things are to be feared.
Phil. Well, sir, as you have shewed us the
terror and suddenness of Christ's coming, so shew
us the purpose and end of his coming.
Theol. The principal end of his coming shall
be to keep a general audit, to call all men
to an account, to have a reckoning of every
man's particular actions, and to reward them ac-
cording to their deeds; as it is written, Matt,
xvi. 27, " The Son of Man shall come in the
glory of his Father, with his angels: and then
shall he give to every man according to his
deeds." Again, the apostle saith, 2 Cor. v. 10,
" We must all appear before the judgment-seat of
Christ, that every man may receive the things
which are done in his body, according to that
which he hath done, whether it be good or evil."
Here we do plainly see that the end of Christ's
coming shall be to judge every man according to
his works; that is, as his works shall declare him,
and testify of Jihn and of Ms faith. In another
Christ's comikg to judgment. 281
place, the apostle saith, 2 Thess. i. 7-9, " That
the end of his coming shall be to render ven-
geance unto them which know not God, and
which obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ; which shall be punished with everlasting
perdition from the presence of the Lord, and
from the glory of his power," Woe, then, unto
two sorts of men! — the ignorant and the disobe-
dient; for, the apostle saith flatly, they both
shall be damned. Methinketh both the ignorant
and disobedient, and all other profane men,
should tremble to think of this — that Christ
shall come to render vengeance unto them. If
we did certainly know that the Spaniard should
invade our nation, overrun it, and make a con-
quest of it — that he should shed our blood,
destroy us, and make a massacre amongst us —
yea, that we should see our wives, our children,
our kindred, and dear friends slain before our
faces, so as their blood should stream in the
streets, what a wonderful fear and terror would
it strike into us! We would quake to think of
it. Shall we not, then, be much more afraid of
the damnation of our souls ? shall we not quake
to think that Christ shall come to take ven-
geance? If the lion roar, all the beasts of the
field tremble; and shall not we be afraid of the
roaring Lion of the tribe of Judah ? But, alas,
we are so hard-hearted, and so rocked asleep in
the cradle of security, that nothing can move us,
nothing can awake us.
Phil, j^ow, as you have shewed us the terror
and end of Christ's coming, so also declare the
manner of it.
Theol. The manner of it is this, that the
whole world shall be cited to appear personally
282 cheist's comikg to judgment.
at the general assizes, before the great Judge.
No man shall be admitted to appear by his
attorney, but all must appear personally. None
shall be suffered to put in sureties, but all must
come in their own persons, Without bail or main
prize; as it is written, 2 Cor. v. 10, " We must
all appear," high and low, rich and poor, king
and beggar, one and other; as it is plainly set
down in the 20th chapter of the Eevelation,
where the Spirit saith, " I saw the dead, both
great and small, stand before God; and the sea
gave up the dead which were in her, and death
and hell delivered up the dead which were in
them." So, then, it is clear that all, without ex-
ception, shall make their appearance at the great
and dreadful assizes. Oh what a great day will
that be when as the whole world shall appear
together at once! ■ If a king marry his son, and
hid other kings, emperors, dukes, and nobles, to
the marriage, with all their pomp and train, we
use to say — oh what a marriage! what a meeting!
what a do! what a great day will there be! but
when the universal world shall be assembled
together, not only all monarchs, kings, and prin-
ces, but all others that ever have been from the
beginning of the world, all that are and shall be,
what a day will that be! No marvel, therefore,
that the scriptures call it the day of God, and
the great day of the Lord! Now then, when all
flesh is come together, to make their personal ap-
pearance, then shall the Son of God ascend unto
his tribunal seat, with great majesty and glory ;
for a "fiery stream shall issue, and come forth
before him; thousand thousand angels shall ac-
company him, and minister unto him; and ten
thousand thousand shall stand before him; the
Christ's comikg to judomekt. 2S3
judgment shall be set, and the books opened,"
Dan. vii. 10. All the saints also, and true wor-
shippers of God, shall attend him, and accompany
him unto his judgment seat; and not only so
but they shall sit upon the bench and throne with
him, as it is written, 1 Cor, vi. 2, 3, "The saints
shall j udge the world ; they shall judge the angels;' '
that is the devils, the angels of darkness. Our
Lord Jesus himself doth avouch the same thing,
when he said to his disciples, and in them to all
true Christians, "Verily, I say unto you, that when
the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of his ma-
jesty, ye which followed me in the regeneration,
shall sit upon twelve thrones, and judge the twelve
tribes of Israel," Matt. xix. 28; that is, the
saints of God shall bear witness that the judgment
of Christ, and sentence of condemnation which
he passeth against all unbelievers, is according to
justice and equity. Thus then, we see how
Christ shall be accompanied to his throne; and
with what glory and majesty he shall ascend unto
it. Experience teacheth, that when mortal
judges hold their sessions and general assizes,
they are brought unto the bench and judgment
seat with pomp and terror; for the sheriff of the
shire, and holbard-men, with many justices of
peace, and ti-ains of others, do accompany them
unto the bench. Then, with how much more
glory and majesty shall the Son of God be
brought mito his royal throne ! Thus, then,
Christ being set upon his judgment seat, all the
ungodly shall be convent^ before him, and he
shall stand over them with a naked sword in his
hand. The devil shall stand by them on the one
side, to acciise them; and their own conscience,
on the other side; and the gaping gulf of hell,
284 Christ's coming to judgment,
underneath them, re&dy to devour them. Then
shall the books be opened; not any books of
paper and parchment, but the books of men's
consciences. For every man's sins are written
and recorded in his conscience, as it were in a
register book. Then will God bring every work
to judgment, with every secret thought, and set
them in order before all the reprobates. Then
" will God lighten the things that are hid in dark-
ness, and make the counsels of the heart mani-
fest," 1 Cor. iv. 5. Then shall all the ungodly
be arraigned, convicted, and hold, up their hands
at the bar of Christ's tribunal seat, and shall cry^
guilty. Then shall that most dreadful sentence of
death and condemnation be pronounced against
them by the most righteous Judge, Matt. xxv.
41, "Go, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, which
is prepared for the devil and his angels." Oh
doleful sentence! oh heavy hearing! Whose
heart doth not tremble at these things? whose
hair doth not stand upon his head? for then
shall thousands, which in this world have flou-
rished as the cedars of Libanus, be cast down for
evermore; and shall drink, as a just recompense
for their iniquity, of the bitter cup of God's
eternal wrath and indignation, in the kingdom of
darkness, and in the fearful presence of Satan,
and all the cursed enemies of God's grace.
Phil. Well, now, as you have declared unto
us the terror, the suddenness, the end, and the
manner of Christ's coming to judgment; so lastly,
shew unto us the right use of all these things.
TJieol. St. Peter telleth and teacheth us the
right use of all; for, saith he, 2 Peter iii. 11,
"Seeing all these things must be dissolved, what
manner of persons ought we to be, in all holy
cheist's coming to judgment. 285
I onversation and godliness?" as if he should
tsay, since the heavens shall pass away with a
noise, the elements shall melt with heat, and the
earth, with the works that are therein, shall be
burnt up; since also the coming of Christ shall
be with great terror, to a fearful end, and in
fearful manner, oh how ought we to excel in
goodness! So then, St. Peter telleth us, that the
true use of all is this, that hereby we be brought
nearer unto God, even to be more obedient to
his will, and to walk in all his commandments,
making conscience of all our ways, and studying
to please God in all things, and to be fruitful in
all good works, Uving soberly, justly, and holily
in this present evil world, and shewing forth the
virtues of him which hath called us out of dark-
ness to this marvellous light; so that we may be
prepared against the day of his appearing, that
it may not take us tardy ; for our life ought to
be a continual meditation of death; we should
always Hve as if we should die, or that our bed
should be our grave; we must live continually
as if Christ should come to judgment presently;
as it is reported of a godly man in the primi-
tive church, that whether he ate or drank, or
whatsoever he did, he thought always he heard
the trumpet of the Lord, with these words,
"Arise, ye dead, and come unto judgment."
Put case — it were certainly known that Christ
would come to judgment the next midsummer-
day ; oh what an alteration would it make in the
world! how men would change their minds and
affections! who would care for this world ? who
would set his heart unto riches ? who would re-
gard brave apparel ? who durst deceive or oppress ?
who durst be drunk? who durst swear, lie,
286 Christ's coming to judgment.
and commit adultery ? Nay, would not all men
give up themselves to the obedience of God?
would not all serve him diligently? would not all
men and women flock to hear sermons? would
they not give themselves to prayer and reading?
would they not repent them of their sins ? would
they not cry for mercy and forgiveness? See
then, what the knowledge of a certain day ap-
proaching would effect; and ought we not to
do all these things with as great a care and zeal
seeing the day is uncertain? for who knoweth
whether Christ will come this month or the next,
this year or next? He himself saith. Matt. xxiv.
44, '■ Be ready; watch; for in the hour that ye
think not of, will the Son of man come." We
think he will not come this year, nor next year,
nor this hundred years. It may be, therefore,
that he will come suddenly upon us; we knoio
not how soon. For in an hour that we little think
of, will he come. Therefore, our Saviour saith,
in the 13th chapter of Mark, ver. 33, " Take heed,
watch and pray; for you know not when the time
is;" and in the gospel of St. Luke, xxi. 34, he
saith, " Take heed that your hearts be not over-
come with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the
cares of this life, and so that day come upon you
unawares; for as a snare shall it come upon all
them that dwell upon the face of the earth."
We hear, therefore, how many watch-words and
caveats our Saviour giveth us, when he saith, Be
in readiness, awake, take heed, watch and pray,
and look about you, lest that day come suddenly
upon you, and take you napping. It standeth us
all therefore upon, to be at an hour's warning,
upon pain of death, and as we will answer it at
our uttermost peril.
cheist's coming to judgment. 287
Fhil. Proceed to speak of the torments of hell.
Theol. Concerning the torments of hell, I do
iiote three things, which I will briefly speak of,
and they be these: the extremity, perpetuity, and
remedUessness thereof. First, touching the ex-
tremity thereof, it standeth specially in these
three things: first, that it is a separation from
all joy and comfort of the presence of God; se-
condly, that it is an eternal fellowship with the
devil and his angels; thirdly, it is a feeling of
the horrible wrath of God, which shall seize
upon body and soul, and shall feed on them, as
fire doth upon pitch and brimstone, for ever.
The scriptirres do note the extremity of it, in
calling it " a lake, that bumeth with fire and
brimstone for ever;" in saying "there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth;" in affirming that
"their worm dieth not," meaning the worm that
gnaweth their conscience, or their torment of
conscience; "and the fire never goeth out," in
terming it " Tophet, which is deep and large,
and the burning thereof is fire and much wood,"
and that " the breath of the Lord, as a river of
brimstone, doth kindle it." All these things be
terrible to our senses, and yet can they not fully
express the thing as it is indeed. For no heart
can conceive, or tongue express, the greatness and
extremity of the torments of hell. As the joys of
heaven never entered into the heart of man, no
more did the torments of hell. All the torments
and troubles that fall upon men in this life are
but as sparkles of the furnace of God's total wrath.
All fires are but, as it were, pictures of fire in
comparison of hell-fire; for, as one writeth, " hell-
fire is so extremely hot that it will bum up a
man seven mile before he come at it;" yet the
288 chbist's coming to judgment.
reprobates, being always in it, shall never be con-
sumed of it. As the salamander is always in the
fire, and never consumeth ; so the wicked shall be
always in the fire of hell, and never consume;
for hell is a death always living, and an end
always beginning. It is a grievous thing to a
man that is very sick to lie upon a feather-bed —
how much more upon a hot gridiron! but how,
most of all, to burn always in hell-fire, and never
be consumed r Another extremity of it consisteth
in this, that the torments of hell are universal,
that is, in every member at once; head, eyes,
tongue, teeth, throat, stomach, back, belly, heart,
sides, &c. All punishments of this life are par-
ticular: for some are pained in their head, some
in their back, some in their stomachs, &c.; yet
some particular pains are such as a man would
not suffer to gain all the world; but for a man
to be tormented in all parts at once, what sight
more lamentable! who could but take pity of a
dog in the street in that case! Thus, then, we
see that the extremity of hell-torments is greater
than can be conceived or uttered ; for who can
utter that which is incomprehensible? we can
go no further in comprehending that which is in-
comprehensible than to know it to be incompre-
hensible.
PMl. As you have shewn us the extremity of
hell-torments, so now proceed to the perpetuity.
Theol. The scriptures do set forth the per-
petuity of hell torments in saying they are for
ever: the wicked shall be cast into the lake
that burneth with fire and brimstone for ever.
The fire never goeth out. When as many
hundred thousand years are expired as there be
stones by the sea-side, yet still there be so many
Christ's coutsq to judgment. 289
more to come; for that which hath no end can
never come to an end. If all the arithmeticians
in the world were set to work to do nothing but
number all the days of their life, even the great-
est numbers that they could possibly set down,
and should in the end add all their numbers
together; yet could they never come anything
near to that length of time wherein the wicked
shall be tormented. If the whole circumference
of the heavens were written about with figures of
arithmetic, from the east to the west, and from
the west to the east again; yet could it not con-
tain that infinite time and innumerable years,
wherein all unbelievers shall suffer eternal torture;
for, in things infinite, time hath no place; for time
is the measure of those things which are subject
to measure. Therefore, because hell torments are
infinite, they cannot be measured by any time,
neither can that which is infinite be diminished;
for if you subtract from that which is infinite,
ten thousand thousand millions of millions, yet it
is hereby nothing diminished or made less. Put
this case — a man should once in an hundred thou-
sand years, take a spoonful of water out of the
great ocean sea, how long would it be ere he had
so emptied it? Yet shall a man sooner empty
the sea, by taking out a spoonful once in a hun-
dred thousand years, than the damned soul shall
have any ease; therefore, a certain writer saith,
"If a damned soul might be tormented in hell
but a thousand years, and then have ease, there
were some comfort in it, for then there would be
hope it would come to an; end;" but, saith he,
this word "ever" killeth the heart. Oh consider
this ye that forget God ! Oh ye carnal worldlings,
think on this in time! For if you will not now
u
290 cheist's coming to judgment.
be moved in hearing, you shall be then crushed in
pieces in feeling. What availeth it to live in
all possible pleasures, and carnal delights here,
for some sixty years, and then to suffer this eternal
torment? What shall it profit a man to win the
whole world, and lose his own soul? They be
more than mad which will hazard their souls for
a little profit and a few stinking pleasures. But
this is the nature of men: they will have the
present sweet, come of it what will, though they
pay never so dear it, though they go to the
highest price, though they lose their souls for it.
Oh the unspeakable blindness and madness of
the men of this world ! The devil hath put out
their eyes, and therefore leadeth them whither
he list ; for who cannot lead a blind man whither
he list? Nahash, the Ammonite, would make
no covenant with the Israelites, but upon con-
dition that he might put out all their right eyes,
1 Sam. xi. 2; so the devil doth covenant with
all the wicked to put out both their eyes, that he
may lead them directly into hell.
Phil. Now sir, a word or two more of the re-
medilessness of hell-fire.
TJieol. The scriptures do affirm that as the tor-
ments of hell are extreme, so they are without all
hope of remedy; as it is written, Ps. xlix. 8, " A
man can by no means redeem his brother; he
cannot give his ransom unto God; so precious is
the redemption of the soul and the continuance
for ever." To this purpose Abraham said to the
rich man, being in hell torments, Luke xvi, 26,
" Betwixt you and us there is a great gulf set,
so that they which would go from hence to you
cannot, neither can they come from thence to us."
Our Lord Jesus also saith, " What shall a man
Christ's coHiKa to judgment. 291
give for the recompense of his soul?" where
our Saviour doth plainly aflBrm that there is no
ransom or recompense, though never so great, to
be given for a damned soul. For the soul being
in hell can never be released: it is past remedy.
No means whatsoever can do any good. No gold,
no silver, no firiends, no riches, no power, no policy,
no flattery, no bribery, no reach, no fetch or device
whatsoever can prevail one jot. For a man being
once in hell hath no remedy. He is in close
prison, he is shut up under the hatches for ever;
there is no getting out again: he must suffer
perpetual imprisonment. He cannot bring a writ
of false imprisonment, because he is laid in by
the most righteous and just Judge, who cannot
possibly do any wrong but he must he by it.
For being there once he is there for ever. If all
the angels in heaven should entreat for a damned
soul; if Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob should make
great suit; if all the prophets, apostles, and mar-
tyrs should be continual solicitors of Christ for
release; if the father should make request for his
son, or the mother for her daughter; yet can none
of these be heard, they must all have the repulse.
For the sentence of Christ cannot be reserved;
his decree is unrepealable. The due consideration
of these things may make all hearts to quake,
and aU knees to tremble. In the troubles and
afflictions of this life, though a man come in never
so great dangers, yet he may wind out again, by
one means or another, by money or friendship,
or rewards, or such Uke means: but in hell-fire
this is it that gripes, and maketh the heart d^pair,
that there is no remedy at all to be used. If we
should ask of a damned soul, or an ajBBicted con-
science, what they would give for the ease and
292 chbist's coming to judgment.
redemption of their souls, they would answer,
the whole world: howsoever, secure worldlings
and wicked atheists (which see nothing, nor feel
nothing) make nothing of it. Here, by the way,
let us consider the greatness of the loss of a man's
soul, which we shall the better perceive and see
into if we can aright value and prize the soul.
If therefore it be demanded what is the price of
the soul? or what is it worth? our Lord Jesus
answereth, that it is more worth than all the
world; for, saith he. Matt. xvi. 26, " What shall
it profit a man to win all the world and lose his
soul?" Therefore the soul of the poorest beggar
is worth more than all the world. Then I reason
thus, if the soul be more worth than all the world,
than the loss of it is greater than the loss of the
whole world; for indeed it is a loss of all losses,
an unrecoverable loss. If a man should have his
house burnt over his head, and all that he hath
consumed in one night, it were a great loss — if
a merchant-venturer should lose twenty thou-
sand pounds in one venture, in one ship, or as
they say, in one bottom, it were a very great loss
— if a king should lose his crown and kingdom, it
were an exceeding great loss — but the loss of the
soul is a thousand times more than all these; it
is a matter of infinite importance. If a tenant
be cast out of the favour of his landlord, it is a
matter of grief — if a nobleman's secretary be
cast out of favour with his lord, so that he taketh
a pitch* against him, it is a matter of great sor-
row— if a nobleman himself be discountenanced,
and cast out of all favour with his prince, that
was in great favour, it is a corsey.t a heart smart,
* An offence. t A burning plaster of painful grievance.
COKVICTIOH JUSTD COlfTEESION. 293
and a matter of exceeding grievance — but to be
eternally separated firom God, to be shut out of
his favour, and to be cast away from his presence,
and the presence of his angels, is a matter of
infinite more dolor and torment. Mark then, and
behold, what a thing it is for a man to lose his
soul! Oh therefore that men would be wise in
God's fear, that they would look out in time, and
make provision for their souls. Now then, to
close up this whole point, the sum of all that hath
been said is this: that the torments of hell are
endless, easeless, and remediless.
CONVICTION AlO) CONVERSION— GOSPEL
CONSOLATIONS; AND CONCLUSION.
Asun. The laying open of these doctrines of
heU-fire, and the judgment to come, maketh me
quake and tremble; I am thereby much perplexed
— I feel great terror in my conscience — I am
afraid 1 shall be damned.
Antil. Damned, man! what, speak you of
damning? I am ashamed to hear you say so;
for it is well known that you are an honest man,
a quiet liver, a good neighbour, and as good a
townsman as any is in the parish where you
dwell, and you have always been so reputed and
taken. K you should be damned, I know not who
should be saved.
Asun. I regard not your flatteries ; I believe
God; I believe his word; I believe those things
which Mr. Theologus hath alleged out of the
294 C05TICTI0K \yB cokyersiox.
holy scriptures, pointing me both to the chapter
and the verse, and whether it he more meet that
I should believe the scriptures or your soothings,
judge you. No, no! now I do clearly see, by the
glass of God's law, that my state is wretched and
miserable; for I have lived in sin and ignorance
all the days of my life, being utterly void of all
religion and true knowledge of God. I am not
the man indeed that you and others take me for;
for, though outwardly 1 have lived honestly to
the worldward, yet inwardly I have not lived re-
ligiously to Godward.
Antil. Tush, tush! now I see you are in a
melancholy humour; if you will go home with
me 1 can give you a speedy remedy, for I have
many pleasant and merry books, which if you
should hear them read, would soon remedy you
of this melancholy passion : 1 have the Court of
Venus, the Palace of Pleasure, Beuas of South-
ampton, Ellen of Rummin, the merry Jest of
the Friar and the Boy, the pleasant Story of
Clem of the Clough, Adam Bell, and William of
Cloudesley, the odd tale of William, Richard, and
Humfry, the pretty conceit of John Splinter's
last Will and Testament; which are all excellent
and singular books against heart-qualms, and to
remove such dumpishness as I see you are now
fallen into.
Asun. Your vain and frivolous books of tales,
jests, and lies, would more increase my grief, and
strike the print of sorrow deeper into my heart.
Antil. Nay, if you be of that mind, 1 have
done with you.
Phil. I pray you, if a man may be so bold
with you, how came you by all these good books?
I should have said so much trash and rubbish.
C05VICTI0K Am) COKTEBSIOir. 295
Antil. What mattereth it to you? what have
you to do to inquire? But I pray you, sir, what
mean you to call them trash and rubbish ?
Phil. Because they be no better. They be
goodly gear, trim stuff: they are good to kindle
a fire, or to scour a hot oven withal; and shall
I tell you my opinion of them ? I do thus think
that they were devised by the devil, seen and
allowed by the pope, printed in hell, bound up by
hobgoblin, and first published and dispersed in
Rome, Italy, and Spmn ; and all to this end, that
thereby men might be kept from the reading of
the scriptures; for even as a lapwing with her
busy cry draweth men away from her nest, so
the popish generation, by these fabulous devices,
draw men from the scriptures.
Antil. Ah, sir, I see now, a fool's bolt is soon
shot — you are more precise than wise — the vicar
of St. Fool's shall be your ghostly father. What!
tell you me of your opinion ? I would you should
well know I neither regard you nor your
opinion: there be wiser men than you which
do both read, allow, and take pleasure in these
books.
Theol. Let him alone, good Philagathus, for
you see what he is; there is no end of his cross-
ing and cavilling; but he that is ignorant, let him
be ignorant; and he that is filthy, let him be more
filthy. Let us now turn our speech to Asunetus,
for I see he is heavy-hearted, and troubled in his
mind. How do you, Asunetus? how do you feel
yourself ? methinketh you are very sad.
Asun. I am the better for you, sir, thank God:
I never knew what sin meant till this day. It
hath pleased God now to give me some sight and
feeling thereof: I am greatly distressed in my
296 COSTICTION AND CONVEESION.
conscience to think what I have been. The re-
membrance of mj former sins doth strike an
horror into me. When I consider how ignorantly
and profanely, and how far off from God I have
lived all my life, it stings and gripes me to the
heart. I do now see that which I never saw, and
feel that which I never felt: I do plainly see,
that if I had died in that state wherein I have
lived all my life, I should certainly have been
condemned, and should have perished for ever in
my sin and ignorance.
Theol. I am very glad that God hath opened
your eyes, and given you the sight and feeling of
your misery, which indeed, is the very first step
to eternal life. It is a great favour and special
mercy of God towards you, that he hath so
touched your heart; you can never be thankful
enough for it. It is more than if you had a mil-
lion of gold given you. It is the only rare privi-
lege of God's elect, to have the eyes of their souls
opened, that they may see into heavenh' and
spiritual things : as for the world, it is just with
God to leave them in their blindness.
Asun. I do feel the burden of my sins, I am
greatly grieved for them, I am weary of them, I
am sorry that ever I sinned against God, or that
I should be such a wretch as to incur his dis-
pleasure, and provoke his Majesty against me;
but I pray you, good Mr. Theologus, since you
are a spiritual physician, and I am sick of sin,
that you would minister unto me out of God's
word, some spiritual physic and comfort.
Theol. Truly, I must needs think that the pro-
mises of mercy and forgiveness of sin made in the
gospel, do belong unto you, and that Jesus Christ
is yours : you are truly interested in him, and have
C05VICTIOK AKD COKTEESION. 297
a proper right unto him ; for he came not to call
the righteous, but sinners to repentance. You do
now feel yourself to be a sinner, you are grieved
for your sins, you are weary of them; therefore
Jesus Christ is for you, all the benefits of his pas-
sion belong to you. Again, he saith, Matt. xix. 12,
'The whole need not the physician, but they that
are sick." But you do acknowledge yourself to
be sick of sin, therefore Christ Jesus will be your
physician — he will swaddle you, and lap you — he
wUl bind up all your sores — he will heal all your
woimds — he will anoint them with the oil of his
mercy — he will smile upon you and shew you a
joyful countenance — he will say unto you, your
sins are forgiven. In him you shall have rest and
peace to your soul; through him you shall have
ease and comfort ; for he taketh pity of aU such
as mourn for their sins, as you do. He biddeth
you, and all that are in your case, to come unto
him, and he will help you. "Come unto me,"
saith he. Matt. xi. 28, "all ye that are weary and
heavy laden, and I will ease you." You are one of
them that are bid to come, for you are weary of
your sins, you feel the burden of them. Christ is
altogether for such as you are. He regardeth not
the world, that is, the profane and unregenerate
men ; he bids not them come, he pray eth not for
them; "I pray not for the world," saith he, John
xvii. 9 ; they have no part nor interest in him ;
they have nothing to do with him, nor with his
merits and righteousness. He is only for the
penitent sinner, and such as mourn for their sins ;
he is a pillow of down to all aching heads, and
aching consciences. Be of good comfort, there-
fore, fear nothing; for assuredly Christ and all
his righteousness is yours; he will clothe you
298 THE CONSOLATIONS
with it; he will never impute your sins unto
you, or lay any of them to your charge, though
they be never so many or so great — he will forget
them and forgive them; as he saith by his pro-
phet, Isa. i. 18, "Though your sins were as
crimson, they shall be made as white as snow;
though they were red like scarlet, they shall be as
wool." And again, he saith by the same prophet,
xliv. 22, " I have put away thy transgressions
as thick clouds, and thy sins as a mist." By
another prophet he saith, Mic. vii. 19, "He will
lay aside our iniquities, and cast all our sins into
the bottom of the sea." Again, he saith by the
pBSphet Isaiah, xliii. 25, "I, even I, am he that
putteth away thine iniquities for mine own sake,
and will not remember thy sins;" and yet more
sweetly he speak eth unto us by the prophet Jere-
miah, iii. 12, saying, "Turn again unto me, and
I will not let my wrath fall upon you, for I am
merciful, and will not always keep mine anger;"
and again, by the prophet Hosea, xi. 9, he saith,
"I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath; I
will not return to destroy Ephraim ; for I am God,
and not man." Be of good cheer, therefore;
comfort yourself with these promises; you have
cause to rejoice, seeing God hath wrought in you
a dislike and a grief for your sins, which is a
certain token that your sins shall never hurt you;
for sins past cannot hurt us, if sins present do not
like us. You are grown to a hatred and dis-
like of your sins; you mourn under the burden of
them; therefore you are blessed; for "blessed are
they that mourn.' ' Why therefore should you be
so heavy and sad? Eemember what St. John
saith, 1 John ii. 1, " If any man sin, we have an
advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the
OF THE GOSPEL. 299
reconciliation for our sins." St. Paul saith,
Rom. iii. 2-5, "That Jesus Christ is set forth to
be a reconciliation through faith in his blood."
Again, the Holy Ghost saith, Heb. vii. 25, " He
is perfectly able to save all those that come unto
God by him, seeing he ever hveth to make in-
tercession for us." The apostle saith, 1 Cor. i.
30, "He is made of God for us, wisdom, right-
eousness, sanctification, and redemption:" mark
that he saith all is for us, all is for his church,
and for every member of his church, and therefore
for you. Christ is made of God righteousness,
sanctification, and redemption for you. Christ is
your Mediator and your High Priest, and hath
offered up the everlasting sacrifice, even for you,
that he might pay your ransom, and redeem you
from all iniquity: "By his own blood hath he
entered once into the holy place, and obtained
eternal redemption for you," Heb. vs. 12.
Christ is not entered into the holy places which
are made with hands, which are similitudes of the
true sanctuary; but is entered into the very
heaven, to appear now in the sight of God for
you. The apostle saith, 2 Cor. v. 21, "He hath
made him to be sin for you, that knew no sin,
that you might be made the righteousness of God
in him;" Gal. iii. 13, "Christ was made a curse
for you, that he might redeem you from the
curse of the law." Oh, therefore, how happy
are you that have such a Mediator and High Priest.
Rest therefore wholly upon him, and upon that
perfect, eternal, and propitiatory sacrifice which he
hath once offered. Apply Christ, apply his merits,
apply the promises to yourself, and to your own
conscience, so shall they do you good and bring
gi-eat comfort to youi soul. For put case — ^you
300 THE CONSOLATIONS
had a most excellent and sovereign salve, which
would cure any wound it were laid unto, yet if
you should lock it up in your chest, and never
apply it to your wound, what good could it do
you? even sothe righteousness andmerits of Christ
are a spiritual salve, which will cure any wound
of the soul: but if we do not apply them to our-
selves by faith they can do us no good. You
must therefore apply Christ, and all the promises
of the gospel to yourself by faith, and stand fully
persuaded that whatsoever he hath done upon the
cross, he hath done for you particularly : for what
is justifying faith but a full persuasion of God's
particular love to us in Christ? A general and
confused knowledge of Christ and of his gospel
availeth not to eternal life. Labour therefore to
have the true use of all these great and precious
promises ; stick fast to Christ, for through him
only we have remission of sins and eternal life.
"To him all the prophets give witness," saith St.
Peter, "that through his name, all that believe
shall receive remission of their sins," Acts x. 43 j
where the apostle telleth us, that if a grand jury
of prophets were pannelled to testify of the way
and means to eternal life, they would all with one
consent bring in a verdict, that remission of sins
and eternal life are only in Christ. Let us hear
the foreman speak, and one or two of the rest,
"for in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall
every word stand." The prophet Isaiah saith,
" He was wounded for our transgressions; he was
broken for our iniquities; the chastisement of our
peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are
healed." This great prophet, we see, doth plainly
affirm that Christ suffered for our sins, and by
his suffering we are saved. The prophet Jere-
or THI G08PBI.. 301
miah testifieth the same thing, saying, xxiii. 5,
"Behold, the days come," saith the Lord, " that
I will raise unto David a righteous branch; and a
king shall reign and prosper, and shall execute
judgment and justice in the earth. In his days
Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely:
and this is the name whereby they shall call him,
the Lord our righteousness." This prophet
trumpeth with the other, for he saith, that Christ
is the righteous branch, and that he is our right-
eousness, which is all one as if he had said our
sins are pardoned only through him, and through
him we are made righteous. Moreover, he afSrm-
eth that Judah and Israel, that is, the church,
shall be saved by him. The prophet Zechariah,
that I may speak it with reverence, telleth the
same tale, word for word. He announceth the
same thing with the other two prophets, for he
saith, xiii. 1, "In that day a fountain shall be
opened to the house of David, and to the inhabi-
tants of Jerusalem, for sin and for imcleanness:"
the meaning of the prophet is, that in the days
of Christ's kingdom, the fountaiu of God's mercy
in Christ should be opened, and let out to wash
away the sins and uncleanness of the church. So
then, we see that these three great witnesses do
all agree in this — that through Christ only we
are washed from our sins, and through him only
we are made righteous. Seeing then that eternal
life is only in the Son, therefore, " He that hath
the Son hath life." Be of good courage therefore,
0 Asunetus, for no doubt you have the Son, and
therefore eternal life: fear not your sins, for they
cannot hurt you; for as all the righteousness of
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the most right-
eous men that ever lived upon the face of the ^rth
302 THE CONSOLATIONS
if it were yours, could do you no good without
Christ; so all the sins in the world can do you no
hurt, being in Christ; " For there is no condemna-
tion to them which are in Christ Jesus," Rom.
viii. 4. Pluck up a good heart, therefore ; be no
more heavy and sad ; for if you be found in Christ,
clothed with his perfect righteousness, being made
yours through faith — what can the devil say to
you ? what can the law do ? They may well hiss at
you, but they cannot sting you; they may grin at
you, but they cannot hurt you; for "Who shall
lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is
God that justifieth; who shall condemn? It is
Christ which is dead, or rather which is risen
again, who is also at the right hand of God, and
maketh request for us," Rom. viii. 33. "Rejoice
in the Lord, therefore, and again I say, rejoice,"
Phil. iv. 4. For greater is he that is in you than
he that is in the world: our Lord Jesus is stronger
than all. None can pluck you out of his hands:
he is a strong Mediator; he hath conquered all our
spiritual enemies ; he hath overcome hell, death,
and damnation; "He hath led captivity captive;
he hath spoiled principalities and powers, and hath
made an open show of them, and triumphed over
them in his cross," Col. ii. 15; he hath most
triumphantly said, "0 death, I will be thy death;
0 grave, I will be thy destruction," Hos. xiii. 14 ;
"0 death, where is thy sting? 0 hell, where is thy
victory?" 1 Cor. xv. 52. Seeing then you have
such a Mediator and High Priest, as hath conquer-
ed the hellish army and subdued all infernal
power, what need you to doubt? what need you
to fear any more? Moreover, you are to under-
stand, and to be persuaded, that God's mere}-- is
exceeding great towards penitent sinners, and all
OF THE QOSPJBL. 303
such as mourn for their transgressions, according
as he saith, "At what time soever a sinner doth
repent him of his sins from the bottom of his
heart, he will put them all out of his remem-
brance." The prophet David doth most lively
and fully describe unto us the merciful nature of
God in the 103rd Psalm, where he saith, "The
Lord is full of compassion and mercy, slow to
anger, and of great kindness; he will not always
chide, neither keep his anger for ever; he hath
not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us
according to our iniquities. For as high as the
heaven is above the earth, so great is his mercy
towards those that fear him. As far as the east
is from the west, so far hath he removed our sins
from us. As a father hath compassion on his
. children, so hath the Lord compassion on them
that fear him. For he knoweth whereof we be
made; he remembereth that we are but dust."
The history of the lost son doth most notably set
forth the wonderful mercy of God towards penitent
sinners. There is shewed how the Lord doth
embrace, tender, and make much of such poor
sinners as have broken and contrite hearts for
their sins; for it is said, Luke xv. that when the
father saw his repenting son a great way off, he
had compassion on him, and ran and fell on his
neck, and kissed him, and clothed him with the
best robe, put it on him, put a ring on his hand,
and shoes on his feet, and caused the fat calf to
be killed for him. Even so, the everlasting Father
doth rejoice at the conversion of any of his lost
sons. Yea, there is joy in the presence of the
angels of God for one sinner that converteth.
Moreover, the Lord doth most hvely express his
merciful nature and disposition, in this, that he
304 THE COKSOLA.TIOKS
is very loth we should perish and willingly east
away ourselves. Therefore, often in the holy
scriptures, he doth mourn for us, bewail our
wretchedness, and taketh up many pitiful com-
plaints, and lamentations for us, saying, "Oh that
my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had
walked in my ways," Ps. Ixxxi. 13; and again,
"Oh that thou hadst hearkened unto my com-
mandments; then had thy prosperity been as
the flood, and thy righteousness as the waves of
the sea," Isa. xhii. 18; again, he mourningly
complaineth by his prophet Hosea, saying, vi. 4,
" 0 Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee ? 0
Judah, how shall I entreat thee?" And in another
place, "What could I do more unto my vineyard
that I have not done? Mark here, how com-
passionately the Almighty God doth yearn overus,
and even as it were bleed upon our wounds.
The apostle also doth note the rich mercy, and
marvellous love of God to mankind in this, that
he doth beseech us, and pray us by the ministers
of the gospel, that we would be reconciled unto
him : the words are these, 2 Cor. v. " Now then,
we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God
did beseech you through us, we pray you in
Christ's stead, that you be reconciled unto God."
Is it not a strange thing that the omnipotent God
should fall to entreating of us poor wretches? It
is all one as if a king should entreat a beggar,
whom he may w^ill and command; but the
abundant mercy of God towards mankind doth
most of all consist in this, that he hath given his
only Son for us, when we were his enemies; as
it is written, John iii. 16, "God so loved the
world, that he hath given his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
or THE GOSPEL. 305
but have eternal life." Again, Eom. v. 8, "God
setteth out his love towards us, seeing that while
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us; much
more then, being now justified by his blood, we
shall be saved from wrath through him; for if
when we were enemies we were reconciled, to God
by the death of his Son, much more being re-
conciled, we shall be saved by his life." In all
this then we may clearly behold the infinite mercy
of G^d towards us poor sinners; for is it not
a great matter that the Son of God should take
our nature upon him, should be so abased as
he was, and should humble himself to death, even
to the death of the cross ? Phil. ii. 8 ; for as
the shadow of the dial went back ten degrees
that Hezekiah might receive length of days, and
much happiness; so Christ, the sun of righteous-
ness hath gone back many degrees, that we might
have eternal life. His humiliation, therefore, is
our exaltation; his sufferings our joy; his death
our life; for we have no other remedy or refuge
but only his merits and righteousness — ^he is our
city of refuge, whither we must fly, and where we
must take sanctuary — he is the balm of Gilead,
whereby our souls are cured — he is that pool of
Bethesda, where every man may be cured of what
disease soever he hath — he is the river of Jordan,
where Naaman may wash away all his leprosy
— he is that pelican, who, by picking a hole in
his own breast, doth restore his young to life again
by his blood. Yet one thing we must note by
the way, which hath been partly touched before,
that all the mercy of God, and merits of Christ,
are to be restrained only to the elect — only to the
true members of the church — as plainly appeareth
in the 103rd Psalm, where the mercies of God,
X
306 THE CONSOLATIONS
whicli there are largely described, are restrained
only to them that fear him, keep his covenant, and
think upon his commandments to do them. And
touching Christ, it is said that he is a Prince and
a Saviour unto Israel; and that he shall redeem
Israel from all his iniquities. Again, it is written,
that Christ being consecrate, was made "the au-
thor of eternal salvation to them that obey him."
None do or can obey him, but only the elect;
therefore, he is the author of salvation only to the
elect; and, consequently, the profane world, what-
soever they say, whatsoever they brag and boast,
have no true title or interest in him. This thing
was figured in the law, in this, that the mercy
seat, which was a type of God's mercy in Christ,
and the ark, which was a figure of the church,
were, by the express commandment of God, fitted
each to other, both in length and breadth; for
as the ark was two cubits and a half long, and a
cubit and a half broad, just so was the mercy
seat, Exod. xxv. 10, 17 ; noting thereby that
the mercy of God in Christ should only be fitted
to his church, and belong only to the church, so
as not one without the church should be saved;
for he that hath not the church for his mother
cannot have God for his father. Lastly, we are
to observe, that as God is infinite in mercy, and
of great compassion towards penitent sinners, so
also is he most constant in the course of his mer-
cies towards his children; and, therefore, one of
the Psalms, cxxxvi. carrieth this foot, "His
mercy endureth for ever; his mercy endur-
eth for ever; his mercy endureth for ever;" not-
ing thereby both the constancy and eternity of
God's mercy. To the same purpose, it is thus
written, Lamen. iii. 22, "It is of the Lord's mer-
OF THE GOSPEL. 307
cies that we are uot consumed; it is because his
compassions Ml not." Let us know, therefore,
that God, as touching his mercy to his children,
is of a most constant and unchangeable nature;
as he saith, "I am the Lord, I change not;" for
if God were of a changeable nature, as we are, and
subject to passions, then were we in a most mise-
rable case. Then must he needs smite us down,
Mid take vengeance of us every day, and every
hour in the day; because we provoke him every
day, and every hour in the day. But the God of
heaven is not as a man, that he should be subject
to passions and affections; he is of a most constant
and inmiutable nature; for though we provoke
him every day with new sins, yet he is so far off
firom taking revenge, that the next day he reward-
eth us with new mercies, and breaketh through
all our unkindness, to shew kindness unto us, and
through all our naughtiness to do us good. All
our infirmities cannot make him break off with us,
or cease to love us — he is content to take us with
all faults; and to love us dearly, though we have
great faults — he regardeth not our infirmities,
though we be oftentimes wayward and elvish,* yet,
for aU that, he loveth us nevertheless. Even as a
loving mother, though her young suckling cry all
night, and be exceeding treafef and wayward, so
as she cannot rest an hour in the night; yea,
though she endure much loathsomeness and
trouble with it, yet in the morning, when she
ariseth, she loveth it nevertheless, and dandles it,
playeth with it, smileth and laugheth upon it;
so the God of all mercies, whose love towards us
far passeth the love of mothers, though we grieve
• Rowaid, widkcd. t Peevish, pettish.
308 THE CONSOLATIONS
him with our iafirmities continually, yet loveth
us nevertheless, and is content to put up all, to
forget and forgive all; for he is a most constant
lover. Where he once sets and settles his love,
he loveth most constantly ; nothing can alter him ;
nothing can remove him. Even as a father,
when his little child catcheth a fall, breaketh his
shins, and hurteth his face, is so far from being
offended or displeased with him therefore, that
he doth pity him, and bemoan him, seeking re-
medies for his hurt ; so our merciful Father is so
far from being angry and displeased with us for
some slips and falls, that he doth the more pity
us, and lament our case. Even as a loving and
wise husband, though his wife have many infir-
mities, yet knowing that she loveth him dearly,
and that her heart is with him, he is well content
to wink at all her faults, to hide them, to bear
with them, yea, and to make nothing of them,
loving her nevertheless for them; so our dear
husband and spouse, Jesus Christ, because he
knoweth we love him, and that he hath our
hearts, is content to bear with all our infirmities,
and to make light of them. For this cause it is
that he saith to his spouse in the Canticles, iv.
1, 7, though she was black and full of infirmities,
" Behold, thou art fair, my love ; behold, thou
art fair; thou art all fair, my love; there is no
spot in thee." Mark that he calleth his church
fair, all fair, and without spot; not because she
was so in herself, but because she was made so in
him ; and, assuredly, the eternal God, beholding
her in his Son, doth so esteem and account of
her; for as he that beholdeth any thing through
a red glass doth take it to be red, as is the colour
of the glass; so God the Father, beholding us
OF THE GOSPEL. 309
ill his Son, doth take us to be of the same nature
and quality that he is: that is, perfectly right-
eous; for this cause it is that he loveth us,
and setteth his heart upon us, and will not be
removed from us; for his love to his children is
always one and the same, although we have not
always the hke sight and feeling of it; as the
moon is always the same in substance and quality,
though sometime it seemeth unto us to be
wasted, into a very small scantling. Let us
know then, to our great comfort, that the love of
God towards us, in his dear Son, is constant and
always alike, and that he will not discountenance
us, or shake us off for some infirmities, no, nor
yet for many infirmities ; for the merciful God doth
accept of his children because their general care
is good, and the universal tenor of their life
tendeth unto righteousness, howsoever they may
greatly fail in many particular actions. Two
or three fits of an ague do not prove a diseased
body ; nor two or three good days a sound body ;
even so, some few infinnities do not argue a
wicked man; nor two or three good, actions a
good man ; but we must have an eye to the cer-
tain and settled course of a man's fife. Even as
men ai*e truly said to walk in a way when they
go in it, although sometimes they trip and
stumble; so God's children do walk in the way of
righteousness, although sometimes they stumble,
and step out of it; or sometimes be violently
haled out of it by thieves; for Satan and the
violence of our lusts, do often hail us out of the
way, but we must get into it again as soon as we
are escaped. Now then, to conclude, and draw
to an end, since God is so infinitely merciful and
constant in his mercy — since such great and pre-
310 CONCLTJSIOK.
cious promises are made to us in Christ — since the
Lord doth not regard our infirmities when our
hearts are with him — therefore, 0 Asunetus, be of
good cheer; let nothing trouble you; fear not the
assaults of the devil; regard not his temptations;
for assuredly your sins are forgiven. Christ is
yours, heaven is yours, and all the promises of
life and salvation belong unto you; so as you
need not to doubt. You cannot miscarry, your
name is written in the book of Hfe.
Asun. I am greatly comforted and cheered up
with your words: your preaching of the gospel,
and laying open of God's abundant mercy in
Christ, and of the promises, do exceedingly revive
me, and even as it were put new life into me :
they are as sack and sugar unto my soul, and
more sweet than the honey and the honey-comb;
they are as physic to my sick soul, and as oint-
ment to my spiritual wounds. I do now begin
to see what misery is in man, and what mercy is
in God. And I know, by woful experience, that
where misery is not felt there mercy is not
regarded; but now it hath pleased God to give
me some feeling of mine own wretchedness and
misery, and yet with good comfort in his mercy.
For, I thank God for it, I begin now to grow to
some persxiasion, that the promises do belong unto
me, my sins are forgiven, and that I am one of
them that shall be saved.
Theol. I do greatly rejoice that God hath ac-
cording to his rich mercy wrought this good work
in you. 1 do, from the bottom of my heart, give
him the praise and glory of it. Happy are you that
ever you were born, in whom God hath wrought
so gracious a work. It is of his high favour and
special mercy towards you, for it is only the
cojrcLiisioK. 311
privilege and prerogative royal of God's own
children, truly to repent and believe. I beseech
God, therefore, to increase your faith, and to fill
you full of joy and peace in beheving, that you
may abound in hope, through the power of the
Holy Ghost.
Antil. The sun draweth low, Asunetus, it is
time for you and me to be going.
Phil. Indeed the night will approach by and
by; and therefore we must of necessity break
off.
Theol. Since it is so, we will here surcease, and
go no further.
Asun. Sir, I will now take my leave of you.
I can never be thankful enough for all the good
instructions and comforts which I have heard from
you this day ; I hope I shall remember some of
them whilst I live : I do therefore praise God for
you, and for your counsel, and for this day which
I hope shaU be the first day of my repentance,
and true conversion unto Gt)d.
Theol. The Lord for his infinite mercies' sake
grant it. And I most himibly beseech the Al-
mighty God to establish you with his free Spirit,
that you may proceed and go forward in a Chris-
tian course unto the end.
Phil. I pray you, good Mr. Theologus, pardon
my boldness; for you see I have been very bold to
propound many questions unto you, wherein you
have fully satisfied me, to the great joy and com-
fort of my soul. I do therefore praise Gt)d for
you, and I hope I shall never forget some things
which you have uttered. But I will now com-
mend you to God, and to the word of his grace,
which is able to build further.
Theol. Farewell, good Philagathus, The Lord
312
CONCLTJSION.
bless you, aaid keep you in all your ways; and
the Grod of Heaven preserve us all, and continue
us in his fear unto the end. All glory be given
to God!
A MORNING PRAYER:
TO BE USED IN PRIVATE FAMILIES.
O LoED our God, and heavenly Father ! we, thy
unworthy children, do here come unto thy most
holy and heavenly presence, to give thee praise
and glory for all thy great mercies and manifold
blessings towards us; especially for that thou
hast preserved us this night past from all the
dangers and fears thereof — hast given us quiet
rest to our bodies, and brought us now safely to
the beginning of this day — and dost now afresh
renew all thy mercies upon us, as the eagle
reneweth her bill, giving us all things abundantly
to enjoy — as food, raiment, health, peace, hberty,
and freedom from many miseries, diseases, casu^-
ties, and calamities which we are subject unto in
this life every minute of an hour: and not only
so, but also for vouchsafing unto us many good
things, not only for necessity, but even for
delight also. But, above all, dear Father, we
praise thy name for the blessings of a better life;
especially for thy most holy word and sacra-
ments, and aU the good we enjoy thereby — for
the continuance of the gospel amongst us — for
the death of thy Son, and all that happiness
which we have thereby ; also, because thou hast
chosen us to life before we were, and that of thy
mere goodness and undeserved &vour towards us;
and hast called us in thine appointed time, justi-
fied us by thy grace, sanctified us by thy Spirit,
and adopted us to be thine own children, and
314 MOETnKG PEATEE,
heirs apparent to the great crown. 0 Lord, open
our eyes every day more and more to see and
consider of thy great and marvellous love to us
in all these things ; that, by the due consideration
thereof, our hearts may be drawn yet nearer xmto
thee — even more to love thee, fear thee, and
obey thee ; that, as thou art enlarged towards us in
mercy, so we may be enlarged towards thee in
thanksgiving; and as thou dost abound towards
us in goodness, so we may abound towards thee
in obedience and love. And since, dear Father,
thou art never weary of doing us good, notwith-
standing all our unworthiness and naughtiness,
therefore let the consideration of thy great mercy
and fatherly kindness towards us, even, as it were,
force our hearts, and compel us to come into thy
most glorious presence with new songs of thanks-
giving in our mouths. We pray thee, 0 most
merciful God, to forgive us all our unthankfulness,
unkindness, profaneness, and great abusing of all
thy mercies, and specially our abuse and contempt
of thy gospel, together with all other the sins of
our life, which, we confess, are innumerable, and
more than can be reckoned up, both in omission
of good things and commission of evil. We most
humbly entreat thee to set them all over to the
reckoning which thy Son Christ hath made up
for them upon his cross, and never to lay any of
them to our charge, but freely forget all' and for-
give all; nail down all our sins and iniquities to-
the cross of Christ, bury them in his death, bathe
them in his blood, hide them in his wounds, let
them never rise up in judgment against us. Set
us free of the miseries that are upon us for sin,
and keep back the judgments to come, both of
soul, body, goods, and good name. Be recon-
MOBSIITG PBATEB. 315
filed unto us in thy dear Son, concerning all
matters past, not once remembering or repeating
unto us our old and abominable iniquities; but
accept us as righteous in him, imputing his
righteousness to us, and our sins to him. Let
his righteousness satisfy thy justice for aU our un-
righteousness, his obeience for our disobedience,
his perfection for our imperfection. Moreover,
we humbly beseech thy good Majesty to give us
the trae sight and feeling of our manifold sins,
that we may not be blinded in them through de-
light, or hardened in them through custom as the
reprobates are; but that we may be even weary
of them, and much grieved for them, labouring
and striving by all possible means to get out of
them. Good Father, touch our hearts with true
repentance for all sin. Let us not take any de-
light or pleasure in any sin, but howsoever we
fjdl through frailty, as we fall often, yet let us
never fall finally, let us never lie down in sin,
nor continue in sin; but let us get upon our feet
again, and turn to thee with all our hearts; and
seek thee whilst thou mayest be found, and
whilst thou dost extend grace and mercy unto
us. 0 Lord, increase in us that true and lively
faith whereby we may lay sure hold on thy Son
Christ, and rest upon his merits altogether. Give
us faith assiu-edly to believe all the great and
precious promises made in the gospel, and
strengthen us from above, to walk and abound
in all the true and sound fruits of faith. Let us
walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Let us feel the power of thy Son's death killing
sin in our mortal bodies, and the power of his
resurrection raising us up to newness of Hfe.
Let us grow daily in the sanctification of the
316 MOBNING PEATEE.
Spirit, and the mortification of the flesh. Let
us live holily, justly, and soberly, in this present
evil world, shewing forth the virtues of thee in
all our particular actions; that we may adorn
our most holy profession, and shine as lights in
the midst of a crooked and froward generation
amongst whom we live, being gainful to all by
our lives and conversations, and offensive to
none. To this end, we pray thee fill us with thy
Spirit and all spiritual grace: as love, wisdom,
patience, contentment, meekness, humility, tem-
perance, charity, kindness, and affability; and
stir us up to use prayer and watchfulness, read-
ing and meditation in thy law, and all other good
means whereby we may grow and abound in all
heavenly virtues. Bless us in the use of the
means from day to day; make us such as thou
wouldest have us to be, and such as we desire to
be, working in us both will and deed, purpose
and power; for thou, 0 Lord, art all in all, thou
wilt have mercy upon whom thou wilt have
mercy, and whom thou wilt thou hardenest.
Have mercy upon us, therefore, dear Father, and
never leave us to ourselves, nor to our own wills,
lusts, and desires, but assist us with thy good
Spirit, that we may continue to the end in a
righteous course; that so at length ^we may be
received into glory, and be partakers of that im-
mortal crown which thou hast laid up for all that
love thee, and truly call upon thee.
Turther, we entreat thee, 0 heavenly Father,
to give us all things necessary for this life: as food,
raiment, health, peace, liberty, and such freedom
from those manifold miseries which we lie open
unto every day, as thou seest meet. Bless unto
us all the means which thou hast put into our
MOBirme pbayeb. 317
hands for the sustenance of this frail life. Bless
our stock and store, com and cattle, trades and
occupations, and all the works of our hands; for
thy blessing only maketh rich, and it bringeth
no sorrows with it. Give us, therefore, such a
competency and sufficiency of these outward
blessings, as thou in thy heavenly wisdom seest
most needful for us. Moreover, we humbly beseech
thee, most loving Father, in great mercy to look
down from heaven upon thy whole church, and
every member of it. Be favourable unto Zion,
and build up the walls of Jerusalem. Behold,
with the eye of pity, the great ruins and desol-
ations of thy church. Heal up the wounds, and
make up the breaches thereof in all nations.
R^ard it as thine own flock, tender it as thine
family, dress it as thine own vineyard, love it as
thine own spouse. Think thoughts of peace to
it, and always look upon it in deep compassion.
Bless it with thy grace, guide it with thy Spirit,
anddefendit alwayswiththy mighty power: scatter
the devices, confound the counsels, and overthrow
the forces of aU that fight against it. Specially, we
entreat thee, dear Father, to set thyself against
that antichrist of Kome, that man of perdition,
which setteth himself against thee, and against all
thy people. In thine appointed time we pray thee
give him a deadly downfall. Beat down aU his
power and authority daily more and more: g^ve
free passage to thy gospel in all kingdoms, that
Babylon may fall and never rise up again. The
more the favourites and adherents of Home labour
to uphold their idolatrous kingdom, the more let it
fell down, even as Dagon before the presence of
thine ark. Pour down the vials of the fulness of
thy wrath upon the kingdom of the beast, and let
318 MOEiriNG PEATEE.
their riches, wealth, credit, and authority dry up
every day more and more, as the river Euphrates.
Let it pity thee, 0 Father, to see thine own spouse
sit as a deformed and forlorn woman here below,
weepmg and mourning with her hair about her
neck; having lost all her beauty and comeliness:
cheer her up dear Father, glad her with the joy
of thy countenance, and so deck her and trim her
up, that thou mayest delight in her, as a bride-
groom in his bride. Specially we entreat thee to
have mercy upon thy chm*ch in this land; intend
good unto us and not evil ; give us not over into
the hands of the cruel Spaniard, as our sins have
deserved. Scatter, we pray thee, 0 Lord, the
devices, and break the plots of all such as have
plotted the overthrow and utter subversion of this
church and commonwealth. Bless this church
more and more, with the continuance of true re-
ligion amongst us. For thy great name's sake,
and infinite mercies' sake, deal graciously and
favourably with us, and our posterity. Turn from
us that vengeance which is due to us for our sins.
For thou seest how iniquity prevaileth, and the
wicked go away with the goal. Atheism over-
spreadeth everywhere, and popery seemeth to get
ahead again. Now, therefore, dgar Father, we
most humbly beseech thee to take order speedily
for the remedying and repressing of these mani-
fold disorders and grievous enormities that are
amongst us. Be entreated of thy poor children to
be good to this English nation. Hear the cries
of thine elect: hear the mourning of them that
mourn in Sion. Let the cries of thy children cry
down all the cries of the sins of the land, and be
reconciled unto us in the multitude of thy com-
passions, so that thou mayest still continue a most
MOENDTG PltATEB. 319
merciful protector of this thine English vineyard.
We pray thee, good Father, shew special mercy
to our most noble and gracious King James, thine
anointed servant: bless him, and keep him in all
his ways. Bless his government mito us. Let
thine angels encamp about him, and let thy holy
hand be always over him; keep him from treasons,
and deliver him from the treacheries of his ene-
mies: give him to see what belongeth to his
peace, and give him a heart earnestly bent to set
upon the practice of the same: give him aU graces
necessary for his peace, and necessary for his
salvation: continue his government peaceable and
prosperous amongst us: and as thou hast made
him the breath of our nostrils, and a gracious in-
strument for the saving of many thousand souls,
so let his own soul be saved in the day of thy Son
Christ. Bless his majesty's most honourable
privy counsellors, and give such good success
unto aU their counsels and policies in matters of
state, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life
in all godliness and honesty. Bless all the nobi-
Uty; work in them a care to glorify thy name in
their places; make them faithful to thee, and
faithful to the land. Direct with thy good Spirit
all such as bear the sword of justice, that they
may draw it out to punish the wicked, and to de-
fend the godly, and that they may, with all good
care and conscience, discharge the duties of their
places. Increase the number of faithful and zea-
lous ministers in thy church. Send thy gospel
to those places where it is not, and bless it where
it is. Eemember them in thy mercy, 0 Lord,
that are under any cross or atfliction whatsoever:
be comfortable unto them, heal up their wounds,
bind up their sores, put all their tears into thy
320 MOENING PKATEE.
bottle, and make their bed in all tbeir sorrows;
and put such a good end to all their troubles
that they may redound to thy glory and the
furtherance of their own salvation. In the mean-
time, give them patience and constancy to bear
whatsoever it shall please thy merciful hand to
lay upon them. Last of all, in a word, we pray
thee, bless magistracy, ministry, and commonalty.
Bless all thy people; do good to all that are true
and upright in their hearts. And so, dear Father,
we do commit and commend ourselves, our souls,
and bodies into thy hands, for this day, and the
rest of our life, praying thee to take care and
charge of us; keep us from all evil; watch over us
for our good; let thine angels encamp about us;
let thy holy hand be over us, and keep us in all
our ways, that we may live to thy praise and
glory here on earth, keeping faith and a good con-
science in all our actions; that after this life we
may be crowixed of thee, for ever in thy kingdom.
Grant these things, good Father, to us here pre-
sent, and to all thine absent; praying thee in
special favour to remember our friends and kins-
folks in the flesh, all our good neighbours and
well-wishers, and all those for whom we are bound
to pray by nature, by deserts, or any duty what-
soever, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Mediator;
to whom with thee, and the Holy Ghost, be given
all praise and glory, both now, and for evermore.
Amen.
AN EVENING PRAYER,
TO BE USED IK PBIVATE FAMILIES.
O Eternal God, and our most loving and dear
Father! we, thy unworthy children, do here fall
dowTi at the foot of thy great Majesty, acknow-
ledging from our hearts, that we are altogether
imworthy to come near thee, or to look towards
thee: because thou art a Grod of infinite glory,
and we are most vile and abominable sinners,
such as were conceived and bom in sin and
corruption, such as have inherited our father's
corruptions, and also have actually transgressed
all thy holy statutes and laws, both in thoughts,
words, and deeds, before we knew thee; and
since, secretly and openly, with ourselves and
with others. Our particular sins are more than can
be numbered; for who knoweth how often he
offendeth ? But this we must needs confess against
ourselves, that our hearts are fbU of pride, covet-
ousness, and the love of this world ; full of wrath,
anger, and impatience ; full of lying, dissembling,
and deceiving; full of vanity, hardness, and pro-
faneness; full of infidelity, distrust, and self-love;
full of lust, tmcleanness, and all abominable de-
sires; yea, our hearts are the very sinks of sin,
and dunghiUs of aU filthiness. And besides all
this, we do omit the good things we should do;
for there are in us great wants of faith, of love of
zeal, of patience, of contentment, and of every
good grace; so as thou hast just cause to proceed
to sentence of judgment against us. as most
322 EVENING PEATEE.
damnable transgressors of all thy holy command-
ments: yea, such as are sunk in our rebellions
and have many times and often committed high
treason against thy Majesty; and therefore, thou
mayest justly cast us all down into hell-fire, there
to be tormented with Satan and his angels for
ever. And we have nothing to except against
thy Majesty for so doing: since therein thou
shouldest deal with us but according to equity
and our just deserts. Wherefore, dear Father,
we do appeal from thy justice to thy mercy; most
humbly entreating thee to have mercy upon us,
and freely to forgive us all our sins past whatsoever,
both new and old, secret and open, known and
unknown, and that for Jesus Christ's sake, our
only Mediator. And we pray thee, touch our
hearts with true grief and unfeigned repentance
for them, that they may be a matter of continual
sorrow and heart-smart unto us, so as nothing
may grieve us more than this, that we have
offended thee, being our special friend and Father.
Give us, therefore, dear Father, every day more
and more sight and feeling of our sins, with true
humiliation under the same. Grive us also that
true and lively faith whereby we may lay sure
hold on thy Son Christ, and all his merits,
applying the same to our own souls ; so as we
may stand fully persuaded that whatsoever he
hath done upon the cross, he hath done for us
particularly, as well as for others. Give us faith,
good Father, constantly to believe all the sweet
promises of the gospel, touching remission of
sin and eternal life, made in thy Son Christ. O
Lord, increase our faith, that we may altogether
rest upon thj promises, which are all yea and
amen. Yea, that we may settle ourselves, and
KVEWUfG PSA.TJEB. 323
all that we have wholly upon them: hoth our
souls, bodies, goods, name, wives, children, and
our whole estate, knowing that all things depend
upon thy promises, power, and providence; and
that thy word doth support and bear up the whole
order of nature. Moreover, we entreat thee, O
Lord, to strengthen us from above to walk in
every good way, and to bring forth the finiits of
true faith in all our particular actions, studying to
please thee in all things and to be fruitful in good
works, that we may shew forth unto all men, by
our good conversation, whose children we are;
and that we may adorn and beautify our most holy
profession by walking in a Christian course, and
in £J1 the sound fruits and practice of godliness,
and true religion. To this end, we pray thee,
sanctify our hearis by thy Spirit, yet more and
more: sanctify our souls and bodies, and all our
corrupt natural faculties, as reason, understanding,
vrill, and affections, so as they may be fitted for
thy worship and service, taking a delight and
pleasure therein. Stir us up to use prayer, watch-
fulness, reading, and meditation in thy law, and
all other good means whereby we may profit in
grace and goodness from day to day. Bless us in
the use of the means, that we may daily die to
sin, and live to righteousness: draw us yet nearer
unto thee: help us against our manifold wants.
Amend our great imperfections, renew us inwardly
more and more, repair the ruins of our hearts,
aid us gainst the remnants of sin. Enlar^ our
hearts to run the way of thy commandments, di-
rect all our steps in thy word, let no inquity
have dominion over us. Assist us against our
special infirmities and master sins, that we may
get the victory over them all, to thy glory, and
324 EVENING PUATEE.
the great peace and comfort of our own con-
sciences. Strengthen us, good Father, by thy
grace and Holy Spirit, against the common cor-
ruptions of the world, as pride, whoredom, cove-
tousness, contempt of thy gospel, swearing, lying,
dissembling, and deceiving. 0 dear Father, let
us not be overcome of these filthy vices, nor any
other sinful pleasures and fond delights, where-
with thousands are carried headlong to destruction.
Arm our souls against all the temptations of this
world, the flesh, and the devil; that -we may
overcome them all through thy help, and keep on
the right way to life, that we may live in thy fear,
and die in thy favour, that our last daj-^s may be
our best days, and that we may end in great peace
of conscience. Furthermore, dear Father, we en-
treat thee not only for ourselves, but for all our
good brethren, thy dear children scattered over the
face of the whole earth, most humbly beseeching
thee to bless them all, to cheer them up, and glad
them with the joy of thy countenance, both now
and always. Guide them all in thy fear, and
keep them from evil, that \hey may praise thy
name. In these dangerous days, and declining
times, we pray thee, 0 Lord, raise up nursing
fathers, and nursing mothers unto thy church.
Eaise up also faithful pastors, that thy cause may
be carried forward, truth may prevail, religion
may prosper, thy name only may be set up in the
earth, thy Son's kingdom advanced, and thy will
accomplished. Set thyself against all adversary
power, especially that of Rome, antichrist, idola-
tr}'^, and atheism: curse and cross all their coun-
sels, frustrate their devices, scatter their forces,
overthrow their armies. When they are most
wise, let them be most foolish; when they are
EVEKING PEATEB. 325
most strong, let them be most weak. Let them
know, that there is no wisdom nor counsel, power
nor policy, against thee, the Lord of Hosts. Let
them know that Israel hath a God, and that thou
which art called Jehovah, art the only ruler over
all the world. Arise, therefore, O most mighty
God, and maintain thine own cause against all
thine enemies; smite through all their loins, and
bow down their backs; yea, let them aU be con-
founded, and turned backward that bear ill-will
vmto Sion. Let the patient abiding of the right-
eous be joy; and let the wicked be disappointed
of their hope. But of all favour, we entreat thee,
O Lord, to shew special mercy to thy church in
this land wherein we hve. Continue thy gospel
amongst us yet with greater success, purge thy
house daily more and more, take away all things
that offend. Let this nation be a place where
thy name may be called upon, and an harbour
for thy saints. Shew mercy to our posterity,
dear Father, and have care of them, that thy gos-
pel may be left unto them as a most holy inheri-
tance. Defend us against foreign invasion, keep
out idolatry and popery from amongst us. Turn
from us those plagues which our sins cry for; for
the sins of this land are exceeding great, horrible,
and outrageous, and give thee just cause to make
us spectacles of thy vengeance to all nations: that
by how much the more thou hast lifted us up in
great mercy and long peace, by so much the
more thou shouldest press us down in great wrath
and long war. Therefore, dear Father, we most
humbly entreat thee, for thy great name's sake,
and for thy infinite mercies' sake, that thou
wouldest be reconciled to this land, and discharge
it of all the horrible sins thereof. Drown them,
326 ETENING PEATEE.
0 Lord, in thy infinite mercy througli Christ, as it
were in a bottomless gulf, that they may never
rise up in judgment against us. For although
our sins be exceeding many and fearful, yet thy
mercy is far greater. For thou art infinite in
mercy: but we cannot be infinite in sinning.
Give us not over into the hands of the idolaters,
lest they should blaspheme thy name and say,
where is their God in whom they trusted? But
rather, dear Father, take us into thine own hands,
and correct us according to thy wisdom: for with
thee is mercy, and deep compassion. Moreover,
we most humbly beseech thy good Majesty, to
bless our most gracious king James, and to shew
much mercy to him in all things. Guide him in
thy fear, and keep him in all his ways, working
in his soul unfeigned sorrow for sin, true faith in
the promises, and a great care to please thee in all
things, and to discharge the duties of his high
place, in all zeal of thy glory, and faithfulness
towards thy Majesty : that as thou hast crowned
him here in earth, so he (spending his days here
below in thy fear) may after this life, be crowned
of thee for ever in the heavens. We beseech
thee also, to bless his majesty's most honourable
privy counsellors. Counsel them from above,
let them take advice of thee in all things; that
they may both consult, and resolve of such courses
as may be most for thy glory, the good of the
church, and the peace of this our commonwealth.
Bless the nobility, and all the magistrates in the
land, giving them all grace to execute judgment
and justice, and to maintain truth aiid equity.
Bless all the faithful ministers of the gospel, in-
crease the number of them, increase thy gifts in
them: and so bless all their labours in their seve-
ETEJTKfG PBASrEB. 327
ral places and congregations, that they all may
be instruments of thy hand to enlarge thy Son's
kingdom, and to win many souls unto thee. Com-
fortthe comfortless with all needful comforts. For-
get none of thine that are in trouble; but as their
afflictions are, so let the joys and comforts of thy
Spirit be unto them; and so sanctify unto all
"thine, their afflictions and troubles, that they may
tend to thy glory, and their own good. Give us
thankful hearts for all thy mercies, both spiritual
and corporeal : for thou art mercy merciful unto us
in the things of this life, and infinitely more mer-
ciful in the things of a better life. Let us deeply
j>onder and weigh all thy particular favours to-
wards US; that by the due consideration thereof,
our hearts may be gained yet nearer unto thee,
and that therefore we may both love and obey
thee, because thou art so kind and loving unto
us; that even thy love towards us may draw our
love towards thee, and that becaiise mercy is with
thee, thou mayest be feared. Grant th^e things
good Father, and all other needful graces for our
souls or bodies, or any of thine throughout the
whole world, for Jesus Christ's sake. In whose
name, we further call upon thee, as he hath taught
us in his gospel, saying, " Our Father which ark
in heaven," &c.
A PRAYER TO BE USED AT ANY TIME,
BY ONE IN PBIVATE.
0 Lord, my God, and heavenly Father! I, thy
most unworthy child, do here in thy sight freely
confess that I am a most sinful creature, and
damnable transgressor of all thy holy laws and
commandments: that as I was born and bred in
sin, and stained in the womb, so have I conti-
nually brought forth the corrupt and ugly fruits
of that infection and contagion, wherein I was
first conceived, both in thoughts, words, and
works. If I should go about to reckon up my
particular offences, I know not where to begin,
or where to make an end; for they are more
than the hairs of my head, yea, far more than I
can possibly feel or know; for who knoweth
the height and depth of his corruption? who
knoweth how oft he offendeth? Thou only, O
Lord, knowest my sins, who knowest my heart:
nothing is hid from thee, thou knowest what I
have been, and what I am; yea, my conscience
doth accuse me of many and grievous evils, and I
do daily feel by woful experience how frail I am,
how prone to evil, and how untoward to all good-
ness. My mind is full of vanity, my heart full of
profaneness, mine affections full of deadness, dul-
ness and drowsiness in matters of thy worship
and service ; yea, my whole soul is fuU of spiritual
blindness, hardness, unprofitableness, coldness,
and security; and in very deed I am altogether
a lump of sin, and a mass of all misery; and
PBITATE PBATEB. 329
therefore I have forfeited thy favour, and incurred
thy high displeasure, and have given thee just
cause to frown upon me, to give me over, and
leave me to mine own corrupt will and affections..
But, O my dear Father, I have learned from thy
mouth, that thou art a Grod of mercy, slow t»
wrath, and of great compassion and kindness
towards all such as groan under the hurden of
♦ their sins. Therefore, extend thy great mercy
towards me a poor sinner, and give me a general
pardon for all mine offences whatsoever; seal it
in the hlood of thy Son, and seal it to my con-
science hy thy Spirit, assuring me more and more
of thy love and favour towards me, and that thou
art a reconciled Father unto me. Grant that I
may, in all time to come, love thee much because
much is given, and of very love fear thee and
obey thee. O Lord, increase my faith, that I may
steadfastly believe all the promises of the gospel
made in thy Son Christ, and rest upon them alto-
gether. Enable me to bring forth the sound
ftxdts of faith and repentance in all my particular
actions. Fill my soul full of joy and peace in
beUeving. Fill me full of inward comfort and
spiritual strength against all temptations; give
me yet a greater feeling of thy love and manifold
mercies toward me; work in my soul a love of
thy Majesty, a zeal of thy glory, an hatred of evil,
and a desire of all good things. Grive me victory
over those sins which thou Imowest are strongest
in me. Let me once at last make a conquest of
the world and the flesh. Mortify in me whatso-
ever is carnal: sanctify me throughout by thy
Spirit; knit my heart to thee for ever, that I may
fear thy name. Renew in me the image of thy
Son Christ daily more and more. Give me a
330 PBIVATE PEATEE.
delight in the reading and meditation of thy
word. Let me rejoice in the public ministry
thereof. Cause me to love and reverence all the
faithful ministers of thy gospel. Sanctify their
doctrines to my conscience; seal them in my
soul ; write them in my heart ; give me a soft and
melting heart, that I may tremble at thy words,
and be always much affected with godly ser-
mons. Let not my sins hold back thy mercies
from me, nor mine unworthiness stop the pas-
sage of thy grace. Open mine eyes to see the
great wonders of thy law. Reveal thy secrets
unto me; be open-hearted towards me thy un-
worthy servant. Hide nothing from me that
may make for thy glory, and the good of my
soul. Bless all means unto me which thou usest
for my good. Bless all holy instructions unto
my soul. Bless me at all times, both in hearing
and reading thy word. Give me the right use of
all thy mercies a»d corrections, that I may be the
better for them. Let me abound in love to all
thy children. Let my heart be very nearly knit
unto them, that where thou lovest most there I
may love most also. Enable me to watch and
pray, that I enter not into temptation; give me
patience and contentment in all things. Cause
me to love thee more and more, and the world
less and less. So draw my mind upward, that I
may despise all transitory things. Let me be so
enwrapt and ravished with the sight and feeling of
heavenly things, that I may make a base reckon-
ing of all earthly things. Let me use this world
as though I used it not. Let me use it but for
necessity, as meat and drink. Let me not be
carried away with the vain pleasures and fond
delights thereof. Good Father, work thy good
PRIVATE PEATEE. 331
work in me, and never leave me, nor forsake me,
till thou hast brought me to true happiness. O,
dear Father, make me faithful in my calling,
that I may serve thee in it, and be always careful
to do what good I may in any thing. Bless me
in my outward estate. Bless my soul, body,
goods, and name. Bless all that belongeth unto
me. Bless my goings out and comings in. Let
thy countenance be hfbed up upon me, now and
always: cheer me up with the joys and comforts
of thy Spirit; make me thankful for all thy mer-
cies. For 1 must needs confess that thou art
very kind unto me in all things. For in thee I
live, move, and have my being ; of thee I have
my welfare and good being; thou art a daily
friend, and special good benefactor unto me.
I hve at thy cost and charges. I hold all of thee
in chief, and I find that thou art never weary of
doing me good: thy goodness towards me is un-
stanchable. Oh, I can never be thankful enough
imto thee for all thy mercies, both spiritual and
corporeal. But in such measure as I am able, I
praise thy name for all, beseeching thee to ac-
cept of my thanksgiving, in thy Son Christ, and
to give me a profitable use of all thy favours, that
thereby my heart may be fully drawn unto thee.
Give me, O Father, to be of such a good nature
and disposition, that I may be won by gentleness
and fair means, as much as if thou gavest me
many lashes. Pardon all mine unthankfulness,
unkindness, and great abusing of thy mercies,
and give me grace to use them more to thy
glory in all time to come. Strengthen me, dear
Father, thus to continue praising and glorifying
thy name here upon earth; that after this life,
I may be crowned of thee for ever in thy king-
332
PRIVATE PEATEIt.
dom. Grant these petitions, most merciful God,
not only to me, but to all thy dear children
throughout the whole world, for Jesus Christ's
sake ; in whose name I do further call upon thee,
saying, as he hath taught me, " Our Father,
which art in heaven," &c.
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